Shading compostion

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at one photocatalyst and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff, which produces in the CIElab colour coordinate system a relative hue angle of 220-320° , to a detergent composition, a fabric softener composition as well as to a shading

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one photocatalyst and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff, which produces in the CIElab colour coordinate system a relative hue angle of 220-320°, to a detergent composition, to a fabric softener composition as well as to a shading process using such a mixture.

A frequently employed method in bleaching and whitening is to use violet or blue dyes concurrently in order to improve the bleaching and whitening effect. If such a dye is used in conjunction with a fluorescent whitening agent, this can serve two different purposes. On the one hand, it is possible to try to achieve an increase in the degree of whiteness by compensating for the yellow of the fabric, in which case the white shade produced by the fluorescent whitening agent on the fabric is largely retained. On the other hand, the object can be to effect with the dye in question a change in the shade of the white effect produced by the fluorescent whitening agent on the fabric, in which case too an attempt is made additionally to achieve an increase in the degree of whiteness. It is thus possible to adjust the desired shade of the white effect.

Shading processes of materials such as paper and textile fabrics are known from e.g. DE 3125495.

These disclosed shading processes, respectively the disclosed mixtures of photocatalyst and dyestuff are not suitable for a regular use, such as in detergent or softener formulations, because the dyestuffs do accumulate with every use and after a few uses the fabrics are coloured.

Therefore, the goal of the present invention was to find a mixture of at least one photocatalyst and at least one azo and/or triphenylmethane dyestuff, which does not lead to a colouration of the fabric.

This problem was solved by a composition comprising at least one photocatalyst and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff, which produces a relative hue angle of 220-320°, which is not light stable. That means that the components of the mixture, when applied to the fabric are destroyed by light.

Surprisingly, when the dyestuff as such (without the photocatalyst) is applied to the fabric, it is not destroyed (or destroyed much slower).

Therefore the present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one photocatalyst and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff, which produce a relative hue angle of 220-320° and wherein the dyestuff component is degraded when the composition is exposed to light.

Colour coordinates and colour differences are expressed using the internationally standardized CIELAB tristimulus values:

-   a*=red−green (+,−) -   b*=yellow−blue (+,−) -   L*=lightness (light=100) -   C*=chroma -   H*=hue (angle of 0°=red, 90°=yellow, 180°=green, 270°=blue),     and the colour differences ΔE*, ΔH*, ΔC*, ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb*,     together with an identification number of the sample.

This internationally accepted system has been developed by CIE (“Commission Internationale de I'Éclairage”). It is for example part of DIN 6174: 1979-01 as well as DIN 5033-3:1992-07.

Preferably the present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one photocatalyst and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff, which produce a relative hue angle of 220-320° and wherein the dyestuff component is degraded when the composition is exposed to sunlight.

More preferably the present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one photocatalyst and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff, which produce a relative hue angle of 220-320° and wherein the decrease rate of the azo dyestuff(s) and/or the triphenylmethane dyestuff(s) is at least 1% per 2 hours, preferably at least 2% when the composition is exposed to sunlight.

The degradation of the components can be determined spectrophotometrically.

Preferably, the photocatalyst is a phthalocyanine.

More preferably, the photocatalyst is a water-soluble phthalocyanine of Zn, Fe(II), Ca, Mg, Na, K, Al, Si(IV), P(V), Ti(IV), Ge(IV), Cr(VI), Ga(III), Zr(IV), In(III), Sn(IV) or Hf(VI);

Most preferably, the photocatalyst is a water-soluble phthalocyanine of the formula

or

in which

-   PC is the phthalocyanine ring system; -   Me is Zn; Fe(II); Ca; Mg; Na; K; Al-Z₁; Si(IV); P(V); Ti(IV);     Ge(IV); Cr(VI); Ga(III); Zr(IV); In(III); Sn(IV) or Hf(VI); -   Z₁ is a halide; sulfate; nitrate; carboxylate; alkanolate; or     hydroxyl ion; -   q is 0; 1 or 2; -   r is 1to 4; -   Q₁ is a sulfo or carboxyl group; or a radical of the formula     —SO₂X_(r)—R₁—X₃ ⁺;—O—R₁—X₃ ⁺;or —(CH₂)_(t)—Y₁ ⁺;     in which -   R₁ is a branched or unbranched C₁-C₈alkylene; or 1,3- or     1,4-phenylene; -   X₂ is —NH—; or —N—C₁-C₅alkyl; -   X₃ ⁺ is a group of the formula     or, in the case where R₁═C₁-C₈alkylene, also a group of the formula -   Y₁ ⁺is a group of the formula -   t is 0 or 1;     where in the above formulae -   R₂ and R₃ independently of one another are C₁-C₆alkyl; -   R₄ is C₁-C₆alkyl; C₅-C₇ cycloalkyl or NR₇R₈; -   R₅ and R₆ independently of one another are C₁-C₅alkyl; -   R₇ and R8 independently of one another are hydrogen or C₁-C₅alkyl; -   R₉ and R₁₀ independently of one another are unsubstituted C₁-C₆alkyl     or C₁-C₆alkyl substituted by hydroxyl, cyano, carboxyl,     carb-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆alkoxy, phenyl, naphthyl or pyridyl; -   u is from 1 to 6; -   A₁ is a unit which completes an aromatic 5- to 7-membered nitrogen     heterocycle, which may where appropriate also contain one or two     further nitrogen atoms as ring members, and -   B₁ is a unit which completes a saturated 5- to 7-membered nitrogen     heterocycle, which may where appropriate also contain 1 to 2     nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulfur atoms as ring members; -   Q₂ is hydroxyl; C₁-C₂₂alkyl; branched C₃-C₂₂alkyl; C₂-C₂₂alkenyl;     branched C₃-C₂₂alkenyl and mixtures thereof; C₁-C₂₂alkoxy; a sulfo     or carboxyl radical; a radical of the formula     a branched alkoxy radical of the formula     an alkylethyleneoxy unit of the formula     —(T₁)_(d)—(CH₂)_(b)(OCH₂CH₂)_(a)—B₃ or an ester of the formula     COOR₁₈     in which -   B₂ is hydrogen; hydroxyl; C₁-C₃₀alkyl; C₁-C₃₀alkoxy; —CO₂H;     —CH₂COOH; —SO₃ ⁻M₁; —OSO₃ ⁻M₁; —PO₃ ²⁻M₁; —OPO₃ ²⁻M₁; and mixtures     thereof; -   B₃ is hydrogen; hydroxyl; —COOH; —SO₃ ⁻M₁; —OSO₃ ⁻M₁ or C₁-C₆alkoxy; -   M₁ is a water-soluble cation; -   T₁ is —O—; or —NH—; -   X₁ and X₄ independently of one another are —O—; —NH— or     —N—C₁-C₅alkyl; -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ independently of one another are hydrogen; a sulfo group     and salts thereof; a carboxyl group and salts thereof or a hydroxyl     group; at least one of the radicals R₁₁, and R₁₂ being a sulfo or     carboxyl group or salts thereof, -   Y₂ is —O—; —S—; —NH— or —N—C₁-C₅alkyl; -   R₁₃ and R₁₄ independently of one another are hydrogen; C₁-C₆alkyl;     hydroxy-C₁-C₆alkyl; cyano-C₁-C₆alkyl; sulfo-C₁-C₆alkyl; carboxy or     halogen-C₁-C₆alkyl; unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by     halogen, C₁-C₄alkyl or C₁-C₄alkoxy; sulfo or carboxyl or R₁₃ and R₁₄     together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded form a     saturated 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring which may additionally     also contain a nitrogen or oxygen atom as a ring member; -   R₁₅ and R₁₆ independently of one another are C₁-C₆alkyl or     aryl-C₁-C₆alkyl radicals; -   R₁₇ is hydrogen; an unsubstituted C₁-C₆alkyl or C₁-C₆alkyl     substituted by halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, phenyl, carboxyl,     carb-C₁-C₆alkoxy or C₁-C₆alkoxy; -   R₁₈ is C₁-C₂₂alkyl; branched C₃-C₂₂alkyl; C₁-C₂₂alkenyl or branched     C₃-C₂₂alkenyl; C₃-C₂₂glycol; C₁-C₂₂alkoxy; branched C₃-C₂₂alkoxy;     and mixtures thereof; -   M is hydrogen; or an alkali metal ion or ammonium ion, -   Z₂ ⁻ is a chlorine; bromine; alkylsulfate or aralkylsulfate ion; -   a is 0 or 1; -   b is from 0to 6; -   c is from 0 to 100; -   d is 0; or 1; -   e is from 0 to 22; -   v is an integer from 2 to 12; -   w is 0 or 1; and -   A⁻ is an organic or inorganic anion, and -   s is equal to r in cases of monovalent anions A⁻ and is ≦r in cases     of polyvalent anions, it being necessary for A_(s) ⁻ to compensate     the positive charge; where, when r≠1, the radicals Q₁ can be     identical or different,     and where the phthalocyanine ring system may also comprise further     solubilising groups.

The number of substituents Q₁ and Q₂ in the formula (1a) and (1b) respectively, which may be identical or different, is between 1 and 8, and it is not imperative, as is generally the case with phthalocyanines, for it to be an integer (degree of substitution). If other noncationic substituents are present, the sum of the latter and the cationic substituents is between 1 and 4. The minimum number of substituents which must be present in the molecule is governed by the solubility of the resulting molecule in water. It is sufficiently soluble in water when enough of the phthalocyanine compound dissolves to effect a photodynamically catalysed oxidation on the fibre. A solubility as low as 0.01 mg/l may suffice, although one of from 0.001 to 1 g/l is generally advantageous.

Halogen means fluorine, bromine or, in particular, chlorine.

Especially suitable groups

are:

Preference is given to the group

Suitable heterocyclic rings in the group

are likewise the groups listed above, the bond to the other substituents merely being via a carbon atom.

In all of these substituents, phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic hetero rings may be substituted by one or two further radicals, for example by C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halogen, carboxyl, carb-C₁-C₆alkoxy, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, sulfo, sulfonamido, etc.

Preference is given to a substituent from the group C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halogen, carboxyl, carb-C₁-C₆alkoxy or hydroxyl.

Particularly suitable groups

are:

etc, wherein

-   B₁ and R₆ have the same meaning as defined above.

All of the aforementioned nitrogen heterocycles can also be substituted by alkyl groups, either on a carbon atom or on another nitrogen atom in the ring. The alkyl group is preferably the methyl group.

A⁻ _(s) in formula (1a) is, as a counterion to the positive charge on the remainder of the molecule, any anion. In general, it is introduced by the preparation process (quaternization).

It is then preferably a halogen ion, an alkylsulfate or an arylsulfate ion. Arylsulfate ions which may be mentioned are the phenylsulfonate, p-tolylsulfonate and the p-chlorophenylsulfonate ion. The anion can however also be any other anion since the anions can be readily exchanged in a known manner; A_(s) ⁻ can thus also be a sulfate, sulfite, carbonate, phosphate, nitrate, acetate, oxalate, citrate, lactate ion or another anion of an organic carboxylic acid. The index s is the same as r for monovalent anions. For polyvalent anions, s has a value ≦r, in which case it must be chosen, depending on the conditions, such that it exactly balances the positive charge on the remainder of the molecule.

C₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkoxy are straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkoxy radicals, such as, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, amyl, isoamyl, tert-amyl or hexyl or methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, amyloxy, isoamyloxy, tert-amyloxy or hexyloxy.

C₂-C₂₂alkenyl is, for example, allyl, methallyl, isopropenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, isobutenyl, n-penta-2,4-dienyl, 3-methyl-but-2-enyl, n-oct-2-enyl, n-dodec-2-enyl, iso-dodecenyl, n-dodec-2-enyl or n-octadec-4-enyl.

Preferred photobleaching agents of the formula (1a) have the formula

in which

-   PC, X₂, X₃, and R₁ are as defined above; -   M is hydrogen; an alkali metal ion; ammonium ion or amine salt ion;     and the sum of the numbers r₁ and r₂ is from 1 to 4 and -   A_(s) ⁻ balances exactly the positive charge on the remainder of the     molecule, and in particular the formula     [PC]—[SO₂NHR′₁—X′₃ ³⁰A′⁻],_(r) ₁ , in which  (3) -   PC is as defined in formula (1a), -   R′₁ is C₂-C₆alkylene; -   r₁ is a number from 1 to 4; -   X′₃ ⁺ is a group of the formula     or     in which -   R₂ and R₃ independently of one another are unsubstituted C₁-C₄alkyl     or C₁-C₄alkyl substituted by hydroxyl, cyano, halogen or phenyl; -   R₄ is R₂; cyclohexyl or amino; -   R₆ is C₁-C₄alkyl; -   R₁₆ is C₁-C₄alkyl; C₁-C₄alkoxy; halogen; carboxyl; carb-C₁-C₄alkoxy     or hydroxyl; and -   A′⁻ is a halide; alkylsulfate or arylsulfate ion;     it being possible for the radicals —SO₂NHR′₁—X′₃ ⁺A′⁻ to be     identical or different.

Other photobleaching agents which can be used according to the invention have the formula

in which

-   PC is the phthalocyanine ring system; -   Me is Zn; Fe(II); Ca; Mg; Na; K; Al-Z₁; Si(IV); P(V); Ti(IV);     Ge(IV); Cr(VI); Ga(III); Zr(IV); In(III); Sn(IV) or Hf(VI); -   Z₁ is a halide; sulfate; nitrate; carboxylate; alkanolate; or     hydroxyl ion; -   q is 0; 1; or 2; -   Y′₃ is hydrogen; an alkali metal ion or ammonium ion; and -   r is any number from 1 to 4.

Very particularly preferred phthalocyanine compounds have the formula (4a),

in which

-   Me is Zn or Al-Z₁; -   Z₁ is a halide; sulfate; nitrate; carboxylate; alkanolate; or     hydroxyl ion, -   PC is the phthalocyanine ring system, -   q is 0; 1; or 2; -   Y′₃ is hydrogen; an alkali metal ion or ammonium ion; and -   r is any number from 1 to 4.

Other interesting phthalocyanine compounds which can be used according to the invention have the formula

in which

-   PC, Me and q are as defined in formula (4); -   R′₁₂ and R′₁₃ independently of one another are hydrogen; phenyl;     sulfophenyl; carboxyphenyl; C₁-C₆alkyl; hydroxy-C₁-C₆alkyl;     cyano-C₁-C₆alkyl; sulfo-C₁-C₆alkyl; carboxy-C₁-C₆alkyl or     halogen-C₁-C₆alkyl or R′₁₂ and R′₁₃ together with the nitrogen atom     form the morpholine ring; -   q′ is an integer from 2 to 6; and -   r is a number from 1 to 4;     where, if r is >1, the radicals     present in the molecule may be identical or different.

Further interesting phthalocyanine compounds which can be used according to the invention have the formula

in which

-   PC, Me and q are as defined in formula (4), -   Y′₃ is hydrogen; an alkali metal ion or ammonium ion, -   q′ is an integer from 2 to 6; -   R′₁₂ and R′₁₃ independently of one another are hydrogen; phenyl;     sulfophenyl; carboxyphenyl; C₁-C₆alkyl; hydroxy-C₁-C₆alkyl;     cyano-C₁-C₆alkyl; sulfo-C₁-C₆alkyl; carboxy-C₁-C₆alkyl or     halogen-C₁-C₆alkyl or R′₁₂ and R′₁₃ together with the nitrogen atom     form the morpholine ring; -   m′ is 0 or 1; and -   r and r₁ independently of one another are any number from 0.5 to 3,     the sum r+r₁ being at least 1, but no more than 4.

If the central atom Me in the phthalocyanine ring is Si(IV), the phthalocyanines used according to the invention may also have axial substituents (═R₁₉) in addition to the substituents on the phenyl ring of the phthalocyanine ring. Such phthalocyanines have, for example, the formula

in which

-   R₁₉ is hydroxyl; C₁-C₂₂alkyl; branched C₃-C₂₂alkyl; C₁-C₂₂alkenyl;     branched C₃-C₂₂alkenyl and mixtures thereof, C₁-C₂₂alkoxy; a sulfo     or carboxyl radical; a radical of the formula     a branched alkoxy radical of the formula     alkylethyleneoxy unit of the formula     -(T₁)_(d)—(CH₂)_(b)(OCH₂CH₂)_(a)—B₃ or an ester of the formula     COOR₁₈; and -   U is [Q₁]_(r) ⁺A_(s) ⁻; or Q₂ , wherein -   R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇, R₁₈, B₂, B₃, M, Q₁, Q₂, A⁻, T₁,     X₁, X₄, Y₂, Z₂ ⁻, a, b, c, d, e, r, s, v, w are as defined in the     formulae (1a) and (1b).

Especially preferred phthalocyanine compounds are such compounds which are commercially available and used in washing agent compositions. Usually, the anionic phthalocyanine compounds are in the form of alkali metal salts, especially sodium salts.

Suitable azo dyes are for example such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,719 of formulae

wherein

-   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen;     C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, -   Rα is hydrogen or aryl, -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or carboxyl, -   n is 1 or 2 and -   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof and     mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the azo dyestuffs are compounds of the following formulae

Preferably, the triphenylmethane dyestuffs are compounds of the following formulae:

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a composition comprising

-   at least one phthalocyanine compound and -   at least one azo dyestuff of formulae     wherein -   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen;     C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, -   R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl, -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or carboxyl, -   n is 1 or 2 and -   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof and     mixtures thereof and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of     formula (D), (E), (F), (G), (H) and/or (I),     which produces a relative hue angle of 220-320° and wherein the     dyestuff component is degraded when the composition is exposed to     light.

A more preferred embodiment of the present invention is a composition comprising at least one phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b), (2a), (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7), and

-   at least one azo dyestuff of formula (A), (B), and/or (C) and/or -   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E), (F),     (G), (H) and/or (I),     which produces a relative hue angle of 220-320° and wherein the     dyestuff component is degraded when the composition is exposed to     sunlight.

The composition, which comprises at least one photocatalyst and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff, can be used in solid or liquid formulation.

A further embodiment is a solid formulation comprising a composition, which comprises at least one photocatalyst and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a solid formulation comprising at least one composition, which comprises

-   at least one phthalocyanine compound and -   at least one azo dyestuff of formulae     wherein -   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen;     C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, -   R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl, -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or carboxyl, -   n is 1 or 2 and -   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof and     mixtures thereof and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of     formula (D), (E), (F), (G), (H) and/or (I).

A more preferred embodiment of the present invention is a solid formulation comprising at least one composition, which comprises

-   at least one phthalocyanine compound and -   at least one azo dyestuff of formula (A), (B), and/or (C) and/or -   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E), (F),     (G), (H) and/or (I).

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a solid formulation comprising a composition, which comprises

-   at least one phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b), (2a),     (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7), and -   at least one azo dyestuff of formula (A), (B), and/or (C) and/or -   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E), (F),     (G), (H) and/or (I).

Granulates are preferred as solid formulation.

The present invention also relates to granulates comprising

-   -   a) from 2 to 75% by weight (wt-%) of at least one composition         comprising at least one water-soluble phthalocyanine compound         and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one         triphenylmethane dyestuff as defined above, based on the total         weight of the granulate,     -   b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive, based on         the total weight of the granulate, and     -   c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the         granulate.

The sum of the wt-% of components a)-c) is always 100%.

The preferences for the phthalocyanines, for the azo and triphenylmethane dyestuffs as defined above also apply for the solid and/or granular formulation.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to granulates comprising

-   -   a) from 2 to 75 wt-% of the composition comprising at least one         phthalocyanine compound and at least one azo dyestuff of         formulae         or         wherein         -   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen;         -   C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy,         -   R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl,         -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or             carboxyl,         -   n is 1 or 2 and         -   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof             and mixtures thereof and/or         -   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E),             (F), (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, based on the             total weight of the granulate,     -   b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive, based on         the total weight of the granulate, and     -   c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the         granulate.

A more preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to granulates comprising

-   -   a) from 2 to 75 wt-% of at least one composition comprising         -   at least one phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b),             (2a), (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7), and         -   at least one azo dyestuff of formula (A), (B), and/or (C)             and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula             (D), (E), (F), (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, based             on the total weight of the granulate,     -   b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive, based on         the total weight of the granulate, and     -   c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the         granulate.

The granulates according to the invention can be encapsulated or not

Encapsulating materials include especially water-soluble and water-dispersible polymers and waxes. Of those materials, preference is given to polyethylene glycols, polyamides, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylpyrrolidones, gelatin, hydrolysed polyvinyl acetates, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, and also polyacrylates, paraffins, fatty acids, copolymers of ethyl acrylate with methacrylate and methacrylic acid, and polymethacrylates.

The granulates according to the invention contain from 2 to 75 wt-%, preferably from 2 to 60 wt-%, especially from 5 to 55 wt-%, of component a), based on the total weight of the granulate.

The granulates in the formulations according to the invention contain from 10 to 95 wt-%, preferably from 10 to 85 wt-%, especially from 10 to 80 wt-%, of at least one further additive (component c)), based on the total weight of the granulate.

Such further additives may be anionic or non-ionic dispersing agents; water-soluble organic polymers; inorganic salt; low-molecular-weight organic acid or a salt thereof; wetting agents; disintegrants such as, for example, powdered or fibrous cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose; fillers such as, for example, dextrin; water-insoluble or water-soluble dyes or pigments; and also dissolution accelerators and optical brighteners. Aluminium silicates such as zeolites, and also compounds such as talc, kaolin, TiO₂, SiO₂ or magnesium trisilicate may also be used in small amounts.

The anionic dispersing agents used are, for example, the commercially available water-soluble anionic dispersing agents for dyes, pigments etc.

The following products, especially, come into consideration: condensation products of aromatic sulfonic acids and formaldehyde, condensation products of aromatic sulfonic acids with unsubstituted or chlorinated biphenyls or biphenyl oxides and optionally formaldehyde, (mono-/di-)alkylnaphthalenesulfonates, sodium salts of polymerised organic sulfonic acids, sodium salts of polymerised alkylnaphthalenesulfonic acids, sodium salts of polymerised alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, alkylarylsulfonates, sodium salts of alkyl polyglycol ether sulfates, polyalkylated polynuclear arylsulfonates, methylene-linked condensation products of arylsulfonic acids and hydroxyarylsulfonic acids, sodium salts of dialkylsulfosuccinic acids, sodium salts of alkyl diglycol ether sulfates, sodium salts of polynaphthalene-methanesulfonates, ligno- or oxyligno-sulfonates or heterocyclic polysulfonic acids.

Especially suitable anionic dispersing agents are condensation products of naphthalene-sulfonic acids with formaldehyde, sodium salts of polymerised organic sulfonic acids, (mono-/di-)alkylnaphthalenesulfonates, polyalkylated polynuclear arylsulfonates, sodium salts of polymerised alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, lignosulfonates, oxylignosulfonates and condensation products of naphthalenesulfonic acid with a polychloromethylbiphenyl.

Suitable non-ionic dispersants are especially compounds having a melting point of, preferably, at least 35° C. that are emulsifiable, dispersible or soluble, for example the following compounds:

-   1. fatty alcohols having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, especially cetyl     alcohol; -   2. addition products of, preferably, from 2 to 80 mol of alkylene     oxide, especially ethylene oxide, wherein some of the ethylene oxide     units may have been replaced by substituted epoxides, such as     styrene oxide and/or propylene oxide, with higher unsaturated or     saturated monoalcohols, fatty acids, fatty amines or fatty amides     having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms or with benzyl alcohols, phenyl     phenols, benzyl phenols or alkyl phenols, the alkyl radicals of     which have at least 4 carbon atoms; -   3. alkylene oxide, especially propylene oxide, condensaton products     (block polymers); -   4. ethylene oxide/propylene oxide adducts with diamines, especially     ethylenediamine; -   5. reaction products of a fatty acid having from 8 to 22 carbon     atoms and a primary or secondary amine having at least one     hydroxy-lower alkyl or lower alkoxy-lower alkyl group, or alkylene     oxide addition products of such hydroxyalkyl-group-containing     reaction products; -   6. sorbitan esters, preferably with long-chain ester groups, or     ethoxylated sorbitan esters, such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan     monolaurate having from 4 to 10 ethylene oxide units or     polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate having from 4 to 20 ethylene     oxide units; -   7. addition products of propylene oxide with a tri- to hexa-hydric     aliphatic alcohol having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, e.g. glycerol or     pentaerythritol; and -   8. fatty alcohol polyglycol mixed ethers, especially addition     products of from 3 to 30 mol of ethylene oxide and from 3 to 30 mol     of propylene oxide with aliphatic monoalcohols having from 8 to 22     carbon atoms.

Especially suitable non-ionic dispersants are surfactants of formula R₂₀—O-(alkylene-O)_(n)—R₂₁  (8), wherein

-   R₂₀ is C₈-C₂₂alkyl or C₈-C₁₈alkenyl; -   R₂₁ is hydrogen; C₁-C₄alkyl; a cycloaliphatic radical having at     least 6 carbon atoms or benzyl; -   “alkylene” is an alkylene radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms     and -   n is a number from 1 to 60.

The substituents R₂₀ and R₂₁, in formula (8) are advantageously each the hydrocarbon radical of an unsaturated or, preferably, saturated aliphatic monoalcohol having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon radical may be straight-chain or branched. R₂₀ and R₂₁ are preferably each independently of the other an alkyl radical having from 9 to 14 carbon atoms.

Aliphatic saturated monoalcohols that come into consideration include natural alcohols, e.g. lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol, and also synthetic alcohols, e.g. 2-ethylhexanol, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutanol, octan-2-ol, isononyl alcohol, trimethylhexanol, trimethylnonyl alcohol, decanol, C₉-C₁₁oxo-alcohol, tridecyl alcohol, isotridecyl alcohol and linear primary alcohols (Alfols) having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Some examples of such Alfols are Alfol (8-10), Alfol (9-11), Alfol (10-14), Alfol (12-13) and Alfol (16-18). (“Alfol” is a registered trade mark).

Unsaturated aliphatic monoalcohols are, for example, dodecenyl alcohol, hexadecenyl alcohol and oleyl alcohol.

The alcohol radicals may be present singly or in the form of mixtures of two or more components, e.g. mixtures of alkyl and/or alkenyl groups that are derived from soybean fatty acids, palm kernel fatty acids or tallow oils.

(Alkylene-O) chains are preferably divalent radicals of the formulae

and

Examples of a cycloaliphatic radical are cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl and preferably cyclohexyl. As non-ionic dispersants there come into consideration preferably surfactants of formula

wherein

-   R₂₂ is C₈-C₂₂alkyl; -   R₂₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl; -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃ and Y₄ are each independently of the others hydrogen;     methyl or ethyl; -   n₂ is a number from 0 to 8; and -   n₃ is a number from 2 to 40.

Further important non-ionic dispersants correspond to formula

wherein

-   R₂₄ is C₉-C₁₄alkyl; -   R₂₅ is C₁-C₄alkyl; -   Y₅, Y₆, Y₇ and Y₈ are each independently of the others hydrogen;     methyl or ethyl, one of the radicals Y₅, Y₆ and one of the radicals     Y₇, Y₈ always being hydrogen; and -   n₄ and n₅ are each independently of the other an integer from 4 to     8.

The non-ionic dispersants of formulae (8) to (10) can also be used in the form of mixtures.

For example, as surfactant mixtures there come into consideration non-end-group-terminated fatty alcohol ethoxylates of formula (8), e.g. compounds of formula (8) wherein

-   R₂₀ is C₈-C₂₂alkyl, -   R₂₁ is hydrogen and -   the alkylene-O chain is the radical —(CH₂—CH₂— -   and also end-group-terminated fatty alcohol ethoxylates of formula     (10).

Examples of non-ionic dispersants of formulae (8), (9) and (10) include reaction products of a C₁₀-C₁₃fatty alcohol, e.g. a C₁₃oxo-alcohol, with from 3 to 10 mol of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and/or butylene oxide or the reaction product of one mol of a C₁₃fatty alcohol with 6 mol of ethylene oxide and 1 mol of butylene oxide, it being possible for the addition products each to be end-group-terminated with C₁-C₄alkyl, preferably methyl or butyl.

Such dispersants can be used singly or in the form of mixtures of two or more dispersants.

Instead of or in addition to the dispersing agent or agents, the granulates according to the invention may comprise a water-soluble organic polymer, which may also have dispersing properties. Such polymers may be used singly or as mixtures of two or more polymers. As water-soluble polymers (which may, but need not, have film-forming properties), there come into consideration, for example, gelatins, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, copolymers of ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid (ammonium salt), polyvinylpyrrolidones, vinylpyrrolidones, vinyl acetates, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone with long-chain olefins, poly(vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylates), copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamides, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminopropyl acrylamides, quaternised copolymers of vinylpyrrolidones and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylates, terpolymers of vinylcaprolactam/vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylates, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, terpolymers of caprolactam/vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylates, copolymers of styrene and acrylic acid, polycarboxylic acids, polyacrylamides, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohols, hydrolysed and non-hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of maleic add with unsaturated hydrocarbons and also mixed polymerisation products of the mentioned polymers. Further suitable substances are polyethylene glycol (MW=2000-20 000), copolymers of ethylene oxide with propylene oxide (MW>3500), condensation products (block polymerisation products) of alkylene oxide, especially propylene oxide, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone with vinyl acetate, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide addition products with diamines, especially ethylenediamine, polystyrenesulfonic acid, polyethylenesulfonic acid, copolymers of acrylic acid with sulfonated styrenes, gum arabic, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, maltodextrin, starch, sucrose, lactose, enzymatically modified and subsequently hydrated sugars, as are obtainable under the name “Isomalt”, cane sugar, polyaspartic acid and tragacanth.

Among those water-soluble organic polymers, special preference is given to carboxymethyl cellulose, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylpyrrolidones, gelatins, hydrolysed polyvinyl acetates, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, maltodextrins, polyaspartic acid and also polyacrylates and polymethacrylates.

For use as inorganic salts there come into consideration carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, phosphates, polyphosphates, sulfates, silicates, sulfites, borates, halides and pyrophosphates, preferably in the form of alkali metal salts. Preference is given to water-soluble salts such as, for example, alkali metal chlorides, alkali phosphates, alkali carbonates, alkali polyphosphates and alkali sulfates and water-soluble salts used in washing agent and/or washing agent additive formulations.

There come into consideration as low-molecular-weight acids, for example, mono- or polycarboxylic acids. Of special interest are aliphatic carboxylic acids, especially those having a total number of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Preferred acids are aliphatic C₁-C₁₂-mono- or -poly-carboxylic acids, the monocarboxylic acids being especially those having at least 3 carbon atoms in total. As substituents of the carboxylic acids there come into consideration, for example, hydroxy and amino, especially hydroxy. Special preference is given to aliphatic C₂-C₁₂polycarboxylic acids, especially aliphatic C₂-C₆polycarboxylic acids. Very special preference is given to hydroxy-substituted aliphatic C₂-C₆polycarboxylic acids. These compounds may be used in the form of the free acid or a salt, especially an alkali salt.

There may also be used aminopolycarboxylates (e.g. sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate), phytates, phosphonates, aminopolyphosphonates (e.g. sodium ethylenediaminetetraphosphonate), aminoalkylenepoly(alkylenephosphonates), polyphosphonates, polycarboxylates or water-soluble polysiloxanes.

As examples of low-molecular-weight organic acids and salts thereof there may be mentioned oxalic acid, tartaric acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, citric acid, formic acid, gluconic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, terephthalic acid, benzoic acid, phthalic acid, acrylic acid and polyacrylic acid.

The optical brighteners may be selected from a wide range of chemical types such as 4,4′-bis-(triazinylamino)-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acids, 4,4′-bis-(triazol-2-yl)stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acids, 4,4′-(diphenyl)-stilbenes, 4,4′-distyryl-biphenyls, 4-phenyl-4′-benzoxazolyl-stilbenes, stilbenyl-naphthotriazoles, 4-styryl-stilbenes, bis-(benzoxazol-2-yl) derivatives, bis-(benzimidazol-2-yl) derivatives, coumarines, pyrazolines, naphthalimides, triazinyl-pyrenes, 2-styryl-benzoxazole- or -naphthoxazole derivatives, benzimidazole-benzofuran derivatives or oxanilide derivatives.

With particular reference to the use of a composition, which is an aqueous textile finishing composition, preferred 4,4′-bis-(triazinylamino)-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acids are those having the formula (11):

in which

-   R₂₆ and R₂₇, independently of one another, are phenyl; mono- or     disulfonated phenyl; phenylamino; mono- or disulfonated phenylamino;     morpholino; —N(CH₂CH₂OH)₂; —N(CH₃)(CH₂CH₂OH); —NH₂; —N(C₁-C₄alkyl)₂;     —OCH₃; —Cl; —NH—CH₂CH₂SO₃H or —NH—CH₂CH₂OH; and -   M is H; Na; K; Ca; Mg; ammonium; mono-, di-, tri- or     tetra-C₁-C₄-alkylammonium; mono-, di-or     tri-C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di- or     tri-substituted with by a mixture of C₁-C₄-alkyl and     C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl groups.

Especially preferred compounds of formula (11) are those in which each R₂₆ is 2,5-disulfophenyl and each R₂₇ is morpholino; or each R₂₆ is 2,5-disulfophenyl and each R₂₇ is N(C₂H₅)₂; or each R₂₆ is 3-sulfophenyl and each R₂₇ is NH(CH₂CH₂OH) or N(CH₂CH₂OH)₂; or each R₂₆ is 4-sulfophenyl and each R₂₇ is N(CH₂CH₂OH)₂; and, in each case, the sulfo group is SO₃M in which M is sodium.

Preferred 4,4′-bis-(triazol-2-yl)stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acids are those having the formula (12):

in which

-   R₂₈ and R₂₉, independently of one another, are H; C₁-C₄-alkyl;     phenyl or monosulfonated phenyl; and -   M is H; Na; K; Ca; Mg; ammonium; mono-, di-, tri- or     tetra-C₁-C₄-alkylammonium; mono-, di- or     tri-C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di- or     tri-substituted with by a mixture of C₁-C₄-alkyl and     C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl groups.

Especially preferred compounds of formula (12) are those in which R₂₈ is phenyl, R₂₉ is H and M is sodium.

One preferred 4,4′-(diphenyl)-stilbene is that having the formula (13):

Preferably, 4,4′-distyryl-biphenyls used are those of formula (14):

in which

-   R₃₀ and R₃₁, independently of one another, are H; —SO₃M;     —SO₂N(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂; -   O—(C₁-C₄-alkyl); CN; Cl; COO(C₁-C₄-alkyl); CON(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂ or     O(CH₂)₃N⁽⁺⁾(CH₃)₂An⁽⁻⁾ in which An⁽⁻⁾ is an anion of an organic or     inorganic acid, in particular a formate, acetate, propionate,     glycolate, lactate, acrylate, methanephosphonate, phosphite,     sulfonate, dimethyl or diethyl phosphite anion , or a mixture     thereof, -   n is 0 or 1 and -   M is H; Na; K; Ca; Mg; ammonium; mono-, di-, ri- or     tetra-C₁-C₄-alkylammonium; mono-, di- or     tri-C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di- or     tri-substituted with by a mixture of C₁-C₄-alkyl and     C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl groups.

Especially preferred compounds of formula (14) are those in which n is 1 and each R₃₀ is a 2-SO₃M group in which M is sodium and each R₃₁ is H, or each R₃₁ is —O(CH₂)₃N⁽⁺⁾(CH₃)₂An⁽⁻⁾ in which An⁽⁻⁾ is acetate.

Preferred 4-phenyl-4′-benzoxazolyl-stilbenes have the formula (15):

in which

-   R₃₂ and R₃₃, independently of one another, are H; Cl; C₁-C₄-alkyl or     —SO₂C₁-C₄-alkyl.

An especially preferred compound of formula (15) is that in which R₃₂ is 4-CH₃ and R₃₃ is 2-CH₃.

Preferably, stilbenyl-naphthotriazoles used are those of formula (16):

in which

-   R₃₄ is H or Cl; -   R₃₅ is —SO₃M; —SO₂N(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂; —SO₂O-phenyl or —CN; -   R₃₆ is H or —SO₃M; and -   M is H; Na; K; Ca; Mg; ammonium; mono-, di-, tri- or     tetra-C₁-C₄-alkylammonium; mono-, di- or     tri-C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di- or     tri-substituted with by a mixture of C₁-C₄-alkyl and     C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl groups.

Especially preferred compounds of formula (16) are those in which R₃₄ and R₃₅ are H and R₃₆ is 2-SO₃M in which M is Na.

Preferably, 4-styryl-stilbenes used are those of formula:

in which

-   R₃₇ and R₃₈, independently of one another, are H; —SO₃M;     —SO₂N(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂; -   —O—(C₁-C₄-alkyl); —CN; —Cl; —COO(C₁-C₄-alkyl); —CON(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂ or     —O(CH₂)₃N⁽⁺⁾(CH₃)₂An⁽⁻⁾ in which An⁽⁻⁾ is an anion of an organic or     inorganic acid, in particular a formate, acetate, propionate,     glycolate, lactate, acrylate, methanephosphonate, phosphite,     sulfonate, dimethyl or diethyl phosphite anion , or a mixture     thereof.

Especially preferred compounds of formula (17) are those in which each of R₃₇ and R₃₈ is 2-cyano; 2-SO₃M in which M is sodium or O(CH₂)₃N⁽⁺⁾(CH₃)₂An⁽⁻⁾ in which An⁽⁻⁾ is acetate.

Preferred bis-(benzoxazol-2-yl) derivatives are those of formula (18):

in which

-   R₃₉, independently of one another, is H; C(CH₃)₃; C(CH₃)₂-phenyl;     C₁-C₄-alkyl or COO—C₁-C₄-alkyl, and -   X is —CH═CH— or a group of formula:

Especially preferred compounds of formula (18) are those in which each R₃₉ is H and X is

or one group R₃₉ in each ring is 2-methyl and the other R₃₉ is H and X is —CH═CH—; or one group R₃₉ in each ring is 2-C(CH₃)₃ and the other R₃₉ is H and X is

Preferred bis-(benzimidazol-2-yl) derivatives are those of formula (19):

in which

-   R₄₀ and R₄₁, independently of one another, are H; C₁-C₄-alkyl or     CH₂CH₂OH; -   R₄₂ is H or SO₃M; -   X₁ is ═CH═CH— or a group of formula:     and -   M is H; Na; K; Ca; Mg; ammonium; mono-, di-, tri- or     tetra-C₁-C₄-alkylammonium; mono-, di- or     tri-C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di- or     tri-substituted with by a mixture of C₁-C₄-alkyl and     C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl groups.

Especially preferred compounds of formula (19) are those in which R₄₀ and R₄₁, are each H, R₄₂ is SO₃M in which M is sodium and X₁ is —CH═CH—.

Preferred coumarines are those of formula:

in which

-   R₄₃ is H; —Cl or —CH₂COOH, -   R₄ is H; phenyl; —COO—C₁-C₄-alkyl or a group of formula:     and R₄₅ is —O—C₁-C₄-alkyl; —N(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂; —NH—CO—C₁-C₄-alkyl or a     group of formula:     in which R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈ and R₂₉ have their previous significance and     R₄₆ is H; C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl.

Especially preferred compounds of formula (20) are those having the formula (21) and (22):

Preferably, pyrazolines used are those having the formula (23):

in which

-   R₄₇ is H; —Cl or —N(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂, -   R₄₈ is H; —Cl; —SO₃M; —SO₂NH₂; —SO₂NH—(C₁-C₄-alkyl);     —COO—C₁-C₄-alkyl; —SO₂-C₁-C₄-alkyl; —SO₂NHCH₂CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾(CH₃)₃ or     SO₂CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾H(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂ An⁽⁻⁾, -   R₄₉ and R₅₀ are the same or different and each is H; C₁-C₄-alkyl or     phenyl, -   R₅₁ is H or —Cl, -   An⁽⁻⁾ is an anion of an organic or inorganic acid, in particular a     formate, acetate, propionate, glycolate, lactate, acrylate,     methanephosphonate, phosphite, sulfonate, dimethyl or diethyl     phosphite anion, or a mixture thereof and -   M is H; Na; K; Ca; Mg; ammonium; mono-, di-, tri- or     tetra-C₁-C₄-alkylammonium; mono-, di- or     tri-C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di- or     tri-substituted with by a mixture of C₁-C₄-alkyl and     C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl groups. -   Especially preferred compounds of formula (23) are those in which     R₄₇ is —Cl; R₄₈ is —SO₂CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾H(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂ An⁽⁻⁾ in which     An⁽⁻⁾ is phosphite and R₄₉, R₅₀ and R₅₁ are each H; or those those     having the formula (24) and (25):

Preferred naphthalimides are those of formula (26):

in which R₅₂ is C₁-C₄-alkyl or —CH₂CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾(CH₃)₃;

-   R₅₃ and R₅₄, independently of one another, are —O—C₁-C₄-alkyl; —SO₃M     or —NH—CO—C₁-C₄-alkyl; and -   M is H; Na; K; Ca; Mg; ammonium; mono-, di-, tri- or     tetra-C₁-C₄-alkylammonium; mono-, di- or     tri-C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di- or     tri-substituted with by a mixture of C₁-C₄-alkyl and     C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl groups.

Especially preferred compounds of formula (26) are those having the formula (27) and (28):

Preferred triazinyl-pyrenes used are those of formula (29):

in which

-   each R₅₅, independently of one another, is C₁-C₄-alkoxy.

Especially preferred compounds of formula (29) are those in which each R₅₅ is methoxy.

Preferred 2-styryl-benzoxazole- or -naphthoxazole derivatives are those having the formula (30):

in which

-   R₅₆ is —CN; —Cl; —COO—C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl; -   R₅₇ and R₅₈ are the atoms required to form a fused benzene ring or -   R₅₈ and R₆₀, independently of one another, are H or C₁-C₄-alkyl; and -   R₅₉ is H; C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl.

Especially preferred compounds of formula (30) are those in which R₅₆ is a 4-phenyl group and each of R₅₇ to R₆₀ is H.

Preferred benzimidazole-benzofuran derivatives are those having the formula (31):

in which

-   R₆₁ is C₁-C₄-alkoxy; -   R₆₂ and R₆₃, independently of one another, are C₁-C₄-alkyl; and -   An⁽⁻⁾ is an anion of an organic or inorganic acid, in particular a     formate, acetate, propionate, glycolate, lactate, acrylate,     methanephosphonate, phosphite, sulfonate, dimethyl or diethyl     phosphite anion, or a mixture thereof.

A particularly preferred compound of formula (31) is that in which R₆₁ is methoxy, R₆₂ and R₆₃ are each methyl and An⁽⁻⁾ is methane sulfonate.

Preferred oxanilide derivatives include those having the formula (32):

in which

-   R₆₄ is C₁-C₄alkoxy, -   R₆₆ is C₁-C₄alkyl; C₁-C₄alkyl-SO₃M or C₁-C₄alkoxy-SO₃M in which     -   M is H; Na; K; Ca; Mg; ammonium; mono-, di-, tri - or         tetra-C₁-C₄-alkylammonium; mono-, di- or         tri-C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di- or         tri-substituted with by a mixture of C₁-C₄-alkyl and         C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl groups and -   R₆₅ and R₆₇ are the same and each is hydrogen; tert. butyl or SO₃M     in which M has its previous significance.

Preferred FWA are those having one of the formulae:

in which

-   R₆₈ and R₆₉, independently of one another, are —OH; —NH₂;     —O—C₁-C₄-alkyl; —O—aryl; -   —NH—C₁-C₄-alkyl; —N(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂;     —N(C₁-C₄-alkyl)(C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl); -   —N(C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl)₂; —NH-aryl; morpholino; —S—C₁-C₄-alkyl(aryl)     or Cl, -   R₇₀ and R₇₁, independently of one another, are H; C₁-C₄-alkyl;     phenyl or a group of formula: -   R₇₂ is H; —Cl or —SO₃M; -   R₇₃ is —CN; —SO₃M; —S(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂ or —S(aryl)₂; -   R₇₄ is H; —SO₃M; —O—C₁-C₄-alkyl; —CN; —Cl; —COO—C₁-C₄-alkyl; or     —CON(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂; -   R₇₅ is H; C₁-C₄-alkyl; —Cl or —SO₃M; -   R₇₆ and R₇₇, independently of one another, are H; C₁-C₄-alkyl;     —SO₃M; —Cl or —O—C₁-C₄-alkyl; -   R₇₈ is H or C₁-C₄-alkyl; -   R₇₉ is H; C₁-C₄-alkyl; —CN; —Cl; —COO—C₁-C₄-alkyl;     —CON(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂; aryl or —O-aryl; and -   M is H; Na; K; Ca; Mg; ammonium; mono-, di-, tri- or     tetra-C₁-C₄-alkylammonium; mono-, di- or     tri-C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di- or     tri-substituted with by a mixture of C₁-C₄-alkyl and     C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl groups and -   n is 0 or 1.

In the compounds of formulae (33) to (40), C₁-C₄-alkyl groups are, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl and n-butyl, especially methyl. Aryl groups are naphthyl or, especially, phenyl.

Specific examples of preferred compounds of formula (33) are those having the formulae:

Specific preferred examples of compounds of formula (34) are those of formulae:

in which n has its previous significance.

Preferred examples of compounds of formula (36) are those having the formulae:

Preferred examples of compounds of formula (37) are those of formulae:

A preferred example of a compound of formula (40) is that having the formula (57):

The compounds of formulae (23) to (57) are known and may be obtained by known methods.

Further preferred FWA's are those of the class of cationic bistyrylphenyl fluorescent whitening agent having the formula (58):

in which

-   Y is arylene, preferably 1,4-phenylene or 4,4′-diphenylene, each     optionally substituted by chloro, methyl or Methoxy, -   q is 1 or 2, -   R₈₀ is hydrogen; chloro; C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; cyano or     C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, -   R₈₁ and R₈₂ are C-C₄-alkyl; chloroethyl; methoxyethyl;     β-ethoxyethyl; β-acetoxyethyl or β-cyanoethyl; benzyl or     phenylethyl, -   R₈₃ is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₂-C₃-hydroxyalkyl; β-hydroxy-γ-chloropropyl;     β-cyanoethyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-carbonylethyl, and -   An⁽⁻⁾ has its previous significance and is preferably the chloride;     bromide; iodide; methosulfate; ethosulfate; benzenesulfonate or     p-toluenesulfonate anion when R₈₃ is C₁-C₄-alkyl or An⁽⁻⁾ is     preferably the formate; acetate; propionate or benzoate anion when     R₈₃ is β-hydroxy-γ-chloropropyl; β-cyanoethyl or     C₁-C₄-alkoxy-carbonylethyl.

Preferred compounds of formula (58) are those in which Y is 1,4-phenylene or 4,4′-diphenylene; R₈₀ is hydrogen; methyl or cyano; R₈₁ and R₈₂ are each methyl or cyano; and R₈₃ and An⁽⁻⁾ have their previously indicated preferred meanings.

One particularly preferred compound of formula (58) is that having the formula (59):

The compounds of formula (58) and their production are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,193.

A further preferred class of cationic bistyrylphenyl fluorescent whitening agent is that having the formula (60):

in which

-   q is 1 or 2, -   R₈₀ is hydrogen; chloro; C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; cyano or     C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, -   Y₁ is C₂-C₄-alkylene or hydroxypropylene; -   R₈₄ is C₁-C₄-alkyl or, together with R₈₅ and the nitrogen to which     they are each attached, R₈₄ forms a pyrrolidine; piperidine;     hexamethyleneimine or morpholine ring; -   R₈₅ is C₁-C₄-alkyl or, together with R₈₄ and the nitrogen to which     they are each attached, R₈₅ forms a pyrrolidine, piperidine,     hexamethyleneimine or morpholine ring; -   R₈₆ is hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₃-C₄-alkenyl;     C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonylmethyl; benzyl; C₂-C₄-hydroxyalkyl;     C₂-C₄-cyanoalkyl or, together with R₈₄ and R₈₅ and the nitrogen atom     to which they are each attached, R₈₆ forms a pyrrolidine,     piperidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine ring; -   An⁽⁻⁾ is an anion of an organic or inorganic acid, in particular a     formate, acetate, propionate, glycolate, lactate, acrylate,     methanephosphonate, phosphite, sulfonate, dimethyl or diethyl     phosphite anion , or a mixture thereof, and -   p is 0 or 1.

Preferred compounds of formula (60) are those in which q is 1; R₈₀ is hydrogen, chlorine, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy; Y₁ is (CH₂)₂; R₈₄ and R₈₅ are the same and each is methyl or ethyl; R₈₆ is methyl or ethyl; p is 1; and An⁽⁻⁾ is CH₃OSO₃ or C₂H₅OSO₃.

The compounds of formula (60) and their production are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,393.

A further preferred class of cationic bistyrylphenyl fluorescent whitening agent is that having the formula (61):

in which R₈₀, Y₁, An⁽⁻⁾, p and q have their previous significance,

-   R₈₇ and R₈₈, independently of one another, are C₁-C₄-alkyl or     C₂-C₃-alkenyl or -   R₈₇ and R₈₈, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are     attached, form a pyrrolidine; piperidine; hexamethyleneimine or     morpholine ring -   R₈₉ is hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₂-C₃-alkenyl or -   R₈₇, R₈₈ and R₈₉, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are     attached, form a pyridine or picoline ring; and -   Z is sulfur, —SO₂—; —SO₂NH—; —O—C₁-C₄-alkylene-COO— or —OCO—.

Preferred compounds of formula (61) are those in which R₈₀ is hydrogen; chloro; C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy; R₈₇ and R₈₈, independently of one another, are C₁-C₄-alkyl or, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a pyrrolidine, piperidine or morpholine ring; R₈₉ is hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₃-C₄-alkenyl or R₈₇, R₈₈ and R₈₉, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a pyridine ring; and Z is sulfur, —SO₂— or —SO₂NH—.

The compounds of formula (61) and their production are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,352.

A further preferred class of cationic bistyrylphenyl fluorescent whitening agent is that having the formula (62):

in which R₈₀, R₈₇, R₈₈, R₈₉, Y₁, An(−), p and q have their previous significance.

Preferred compounds of formula (62) are those in which q is 1; R₈₀ is hydrogen; chloro; C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy; R₈₇ and R₈₈, independently of one another, are C₁-C₄-alkyl or R₈₇ and R₈₈ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a pyrrolidine; piperidine or morpholine ring; R₈₉ is hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₃-C₄-alkenyl or R₈₇, R₈₈ and R₈₉, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a pyridine ring.

The compounds of formula (62) and their production are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,087.

One preferred class of amphoteric styrene fluorescent whitening agent is that having the formula (63):

in which R₈₀, R₈₇, R₈₈, Y₁ and q have their previous significance and

-   Z₁ is oxygen; sulfur; a direct bond; —COO—; —CON(R₉₀)— or     —SO₂N(R₉₀)— in which R₉₀ is hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl or cyanoethyl; and     Q is —COO— or —SO₃.

Preferred compounds of formula (63) are those in which Z₁ is oxygen; a direct bond; —CONH—; —SO₂NH— or —COO—; especially oxygen; q is 1; R₈₀ is hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxy or chlorine; and R₈₇, R₈₈, Y₁ and Q have their previous significance.

The compounds of formula (63) and their production are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,598.

One preferred class of amine oxide fluorescent whitening agent is that having the formula:

in which

-   q has its previous significance; -   B is a brightener radical selected from a 4,4′-distyrylbiphenyl;     4,4′-divinyl-stilbene, and a 1,4′-distyrylbenzene, each optionally     substituted by one to four substituents selected from halogen,     C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl,     C₁-C₄-cyanoalkyl, -   C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, carboxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, -   carb-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkenyl, C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkenoxy, -   C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkyl-sulfonyl,     phenylsulfonyl, -   C₁-C₄-alkoxysulfonyl, sulfamoyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfo and     trifluoromethyl; -   Z₂ is a direct bond between B and Y₂; an oxygen atom; a sulfur atom;     —SO₂—; —SO₂—O—; —COO—; —CON(R₉₃)— or —SO₂N(R₉₃)— in which     -   R₉₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl optionally substituted by         halogen, cyano, hydroxyl,     -   C₂-C₅-carbalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyl, chlorophenyl,         methylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, carbamoyl or sulfamoyl; -   Y₂ is C₂-C₄-alkylene or C₂-C₄-alkyleneoxy-C₂-C₄-alkylene, each     optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxyl, C₂-C₅carbalkoxy,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyl, chlorophenyl, methylphenyl, methoxyphenyl,     carbamoyl or sulfamoyl; and -   R₉₁ and R₉₂, independently of one another, are C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl;     C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl, each optionally substituted by halogen,     hydroxyl, C₂-C₅-carbalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyl, chlorophenyl,     methylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, carbamoyl or sulfamoyl; in which, in     all the carbamoyl or sulfamoyl groups, the nitrogen atom is     optionally substituted by one or two C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl, C₂-C₅-cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl, benzyl or     phenyl groups.

Preferred brightener radicals B are those having the formula:

in which

-   q has its previous significance and the rings are optionally     substituted as indicated above.

Preferably Z₂ is oxygen; —SO₂— or —SO₂N(R₉₄)— in which R₉₄ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl, halogen or cyano; and R₉₁ and R₉₂, independently of one another, are C₁-C₄-alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyl, chlorophenyl, methylphenyl, methoxyphenyl or C₂-C₅-alkoxycarbonyl. Other preferred compounds of formula (62) are those in which Z₂ is oxygen; sulfur, —SO₂—; —CON(R₉₄)— or —SO₂N(R₉₄)— in which R₉₄ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl, halogen or cyano; and Y₂ is C₁-C₄-alkylene.

The compounds of formula (64) and their production are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,161.

One preferred class of cationic phosphinic acid salt fluorescent whitening agent is that having the formula (65):

in which

-   q and Y₂ have their previous significance, -   B₁ is brightener radical, -   Z₃ is a direct bond; —SO₂—C₂-C₄-alkyleneoxy;     —SO₂—C₂-C₄-alkylene—COO—; —SO₂—; —COO—;     —SO₂—C₂-C₄-alkylene-CON(R,₁₀₀)— or —SO₂N(R₁₀₀)— in which     -   R₁₀₀ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl optionally substituted by         hydroxyl, halogen or cyano; -   R₉₅ is C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₂-C₄-alkenyl, each optionally substituted by     halogen, cyano, hydroxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl or     C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy, or R₉₅ is benzyl, optionally substituted by     halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, or R₉₅, together with R₉₆ or     Z₃, forms a pyrrolidine, piperidine or morpholine radical, -   R₉₆ is C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₂-C₄-alkenyl, each optionally substituted by     halogen, cyano, hydroxy, -   C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl or C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy, or R₉₆ is benzyl,     optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, or     R₉₆, together with R₉₅, forms a pyrrolidine, piperidine or     morpholine radical, -   R₉₇ is C₁-C₄-alkyl, -   R₉₈ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl, optionally substituted by cyano,     hydroxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl or C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy, and -   R₉₉ is C₁-C₄-alkyl.

Preferably, brightener radical B₁ has the formula:

or the formula:

each optionally substituted by one to four substituents selected from halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₄-cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, carboxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, carb-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkenyl, C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkenoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkyl-sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxysulfonyl, sulfamoyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfo and trifluoromethyl.

The compounds of formula (65) and their production are described in GB-A-2 023 605.

Preferred bis(triazinyl)diaminostilbene anionic fluorescent whitening agents for use in the present invention are those having the formula (66):

Preferred dibenzofuranylbiphenyl anionic fluorescent whitening agents for use in the present invention are those having the formula (67):

Preferred anionic bistyrylphenyl fluorescent whitening agents for use in the present invention are those having the formula (68):

In the formulae (66) to (68),

-   R₁₀₁ is phenyl, optionally substituted by one or two —SO₃M groups, -   R₁₀₂ is —NH—C₁-C₄-alkyl; —N(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂; —NH—C₁-C₄-alkoxy;     —N(C₁-C₄-alkoxy)₂; -   —N(C₁-C₄-alkyl)(C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl) or —N(C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl)₂, -   R₁₀₃ is H; —C₁-C₄-alkyl; —CN; —Cl or —SO₃M; R₁₀₄ and R₁₀₅,     independently of one another, are H; -   C₁-C₄-alkyl; —SO₃M; —CN; —Cl or —O—C₁-C₄-alkyl, provided that at     least two of R₁₀₃, R₁₀₄ and R₁₀₅ are —SO₃M and the third group has     solubilising character, -   R₈₁ is H; —SO₃M; —O—C₁-C₄-alkyl; —CN; —Cl; —COO—C₁-C₄-alkyl or     —CON(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂, -   M is H; Na; K; Ca; Mg; ammonium; mono-, di-, tri- or     tetra-C₁-C₄-alkylammonium; mono-, di- or     tri-C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di- or     tri-substituted with by a mixture of C₁-C₄-alkyl and     C₁-C₄-hydroxyalkyl groups and -   r is 0 or 1.

The compounds of formulae (66) to (68) are known and may be obtained by known methods.

Especially preferred are the non-ionic or the anionic FWA's.

The granulates in the formulations according to the invention may contain from 0 to 15 wt-% water (component c), based on the total weight of the granulate.

The granulates in the formulations according to the invention preferably have an average particle size of <500 μm. Greater preference is given to the particle size of the granulates being from 40 to 400 μm.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to granulates comprising

-   -   a) from 2 to 75 wt-% of at least one composition comprising         -   at least one phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b),             (2a), (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7), and         -   at least one azo dyestuff of formulae         -   wherein         -   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen;         -   C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy,         -   R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl,         -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or             carboxyl,

-   n is 1 or 2 and

-   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof and     mixtures thereof and/or

-   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E), (F),     (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, based on the total weight of     the granulate,     -   b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive selcted         from the group consisting of anionic or non-ionic dispersing         agents; water-soluble organic polymers; inorganic salt;         low-molecular-weight organic acid or a salt thereof; wetting         agents; disintegrants such as, for example, powdered or fibrous         cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose; fillers such as, for         example, dextrin; water-insoluble or water-soluble dyes or         pigments; dissolution accelerators; optical brighteners;         aluminium silicates; talc, kaolin, TiO₂, SiO₂ and magnesium         trisilicate, and     -   c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the         granulate.

A more preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to granulates comprising

-   -   a) from 2 to 75 wt-% of at least one composition comprising         -   at least one phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b),             (2a), (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7), and         -   at least one azo dyestuff of formula (A), (B), and/or (C)             and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula             (D), (E), (F), (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, based             on the total weight of the granulate,     -   b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive selcted         from the group consisting of anionic or non-ionic dispersing         agents; water-soluble organic polymers; inorganic salt;         low-molecular-weight organic acid or a salt thereof; wetting         agents; disintegrants such as, for example, powdered or fibrous         cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose; fillers such as, for         example, dextrin; water-insoluble or water-soluble dyes or         pigments; dissolution accelerators; optical brighteners;         aluminium silicates; talc, kaolin, TiO₂, SiO₂ and magnesium         trisilicate, and     -   c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the         granulate.

A further embodiment is a liquid formulation comprising a composition comprising at least one photocatalyst and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff.

Preferably a liquid formulation comprising

-   (a) 0.01-95 wt-%, preferably 1-80 wt-%, more preferably 5-70 wt-% of     a composition comprising at least one water-soluble phthalocyanine     compound and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one     triphenylmethane dyestuff as defined above, based on the total     weight of the liquid formulation, -   (b) 5-99.99 wt-%, preferably 20-99 wt-%, more preferably 30-95 wt-%,     based on the total weight of the liquid formulation, of at least one     organic solvent and -   (c) 0-10 wt-%, preferably 0-5 wt-%, more preferably 0-2 wt-%, based     on the total weight of the liquid formulation, of at least one     further additive.

More preferably a liquid formulation comprising

-   (a) 0.01-95 wt-%, preferably 1-80 wt-%, more preferably 5-70 wt-% of     a composition comprising at least one water-soluble phthalocyanine     compound and at least one azo dyestuff formulae     -   wherein     -   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen;     -   C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy,     -   R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl,     -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or carboxyl,     -   n is 1 or 2 and     -   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof and         mixtures thereof and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff         as defined above, based on the total weight of the liquid         formulation, -   (b) 5-99.99 wt-%, preferably 20-99 wt-%, more preferably 30-95 wt-%,     based on the total weight of the liquid formulation, of at least one     organic solvent and -   (c) 0-10 wt-%, preferably 0-5 wt-%, more preferably 0-2 wt-%, based     on the total weight of the liquid formulation, of at least one     further additive.

Especially preferred is a liquid formulation comprising

-   (a) 0.01-95 wt-%, preferably 1 -80 wt-%, more preferably 5-70 wt-%     of at least one composition comprising     -   at least one phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b),         (2a), (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7), and     -   at least one azo dyestuff of formula (A), (B), and/or (C) and/or     -   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E), (F),         (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, based on the total weight         of the liquid formulation, -   (b) 5-99.99 wt-%, preferably 20-99 wt-%, more preferably 30-95 wt-%,     based on the total weight of the liquid formulation, of at least one     organic solvent and -   (c) 0-10 wt-%, preferably 0-5 wt-%, more preferably 0-2 wt-%, based     on the total weight of the liquid formulation, of at least one     further additive.

The preferences for the phthalocyanines, for the azo and triphenylmethane dyestuffs as defined above also apply for the liquid formulation.

As organic solvents, polar solvents are preferred. Especially preferred are C₁-C₄-alcohols or water.

If appropriate, the liquid formulation according to the invention can further comprise optional additives; examples are preservatives or mixtures of preservatives, such as chloroacetamide, triazine derivates, benzoisothiazolines, 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3on, 2-octyl-2H-isothiazol-3on, 2-brom-2-nitropropan-1,3-diol or aqueous formaldehyde solution; Mg/Al silicates or mixtures of Mg/Al silicates, such as bentonite, montmorillonite, zeolites or highly disperse silicic acids; odour improvers and perfuming agent or mixtures thereof, antifoam agents or mixtures thereof; builders or mixtures thereof; protective colloids or mixtures thereof; stabilizers or mixtures thereof; sequestering agents and antifreeze agents or mixtures thereof, such as propylene glycol.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention related to a liquid formulation comprising

-   (a) 0.01-95 wt-%, preferably 1-80 wt-%, more preferably 5-70 wt-% of     at least one t composition comprising     -   at least one phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b),         (2a), (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7), and     -   at least one azo dyestuff of formulae     -   wherein     -   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen;         C₁-C₄-alkyl or     -   C₁-C₄-alkoxy,     -   R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl,     -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or carboxyl,     -   n is 1 or 2 and     -   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof and         mixtures thereof and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff         of formula (D), (E), (F), (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above,         based on the total weight of the liquid formulation, -   (b) 5-99.99 wt-%, preferably 20-99 wt-%, more preferably 30-95 wt-%,     based on the total weight of the liquid formulation, of     C₁-C₄-alcohols or water and -   (c) 0-10 wt-%, preferably 0-5 wt-%, more preferably 0-2 wt-%, based     on the total weight of the liquid formulation, of at least one     additive selected from the group consisting of preservatives; Mg/Al     silicates; odour improvers; perfuming agent; antifoam agents;     builders; protective colloids; stabilizers; sequestering agents and     antifreeze agents.

A more preferred embodiment of the present invention related to a liquid formulation comprising

-   (a) 0.01-95 wt-%, preferably 1-80 wt-%, more preferably 5-70 wt-% of     at least one t composition comprising     -   at least one phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b),         (2a), (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7), and     -   at least one azo dyestuff of formula (A), (B), and/or (C) and/or     -   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E), (F),         (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, based on the total weight         of the liquid formulation, -   (b) 5-99.99 wt-%, preferably 20-99 wt-%, more preferably 30-95 wt-%,     based on the total weight of the liquid formulation, of     C₁-C₄-alcohols or water and -   (c) 0-10 wt-%, preferably 0-5 wt-%, more preferably 0-2 wt-%, based     on the total weight of the liquid formulation, of at least one     additive selected from the group consisting of preservatives; Mg/Al     silicates; odour improvers; perfuming agent; antifoam agents;     builders; protective colloids; stabilizers; sequestering agents and     antifreeze agents.

The composition according to the invention is used especially in a washing or softener formulation. Such a washing or softener formulation may be in solid, liquid, gel-like or paste-like form, for example in the form of a liquid, non-aqueous washing agent composition containing not more than 5 wt-%, preferably from 0 to 1 wt-%, water and based on a suspension of a builder substance in a non-ionic surfactant, for example as described in GB-A-2 158 454.

The washing formulations may also be in the form of powders or (super-)compact powders, in the form of single- or multi-layer tablets (tabs), in the form of washing agent bars, washing agent blocks, washing agent sheets, washing agent pastes or washing agent gels, or in the form of powders, pastes, gels or liquids used in capsules or in pouches (sachets).

However, the washing agent compositions are preferably in the form of non-aqueous formulations, powders, tabs or granules.

The present invention accordingly relates also to washing agent formulations containing

-   I) from 5 to 70 wt-% A) of at least one anionic surfactant and/or B)     at least one non-ionic surfactant, based on the total weight of the     washing agent formulation, -   II) from 5 to 60 wt-% C) of at least one builder substance, based on     the total weight of the washing agent formulation, -   III) from 0 to 30 wt-% D) of at least one peroxide and, optionally,     at least one activator, based on the total weight of the washing     agent formulation, and -   IV) from 0.001 to 1 wt-% E) of at least one granulate which contains     -   a) from 2 to 75 wt-% of at least one water-soluble         phthalocyanine compound and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at         least one triphenylmethane dyestuff as defined above, based on         the total weight of the granulate,     -   b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive, based on         the total weight of the granulate, and     -   c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the         granulate, and -   V) from 0 to 60 wt-% F) of at least one further additive, and -   VI) from 0 to 5 wt-% G) water.

The sum of the wt-% of components I)-VI) in a formulation is always 100%.

All the preferences mentioned hereinbefore apply to the granulate E).

The present invention accordingly relates also to washing agent formulations containing

-   I) from 5 to 70 wt-% A) of at least one anionic surfactant and/or B)     at least one non-ionic surfactant, based on the total weight of the     washing agent formulation, -   II) from 5 to 60 wt-% C) of at least one builder substance, based on     the total weight of the washing agent formulation, -   III) from 0 to 30 wt-% D) of at least one peroxide and, optionally,     at least one activator, based on the total weight of the washing     agent formulation, and -   IV) from 0.001 to 1 wt-% E) of at least one granulate which contains     -   a) from 2 to 75 wt-% of at least one water-soluble         phthalocyanine compound and at least one azo dyestuff of         formulae         -   wherein         -   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen;         -   C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy,         -   R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl,         -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or             carboxyl,         -   n is 1 or 2 and         -   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof             and mixtures thereof and/or at least one triphenylmethane             dyestuff as defined above, based on the total weight of the             granulate,     -   b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive, based on         the total weight of the granulate, and     -   c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the         granulate, and -   V) from 0 to 60 wt-% F) of at least one further additive, and -   VI) from 0 to 5 wt-% G)water.

The percentages of components I) to VI) in the washing agent formulations herein below are in all cases based on the total weight of the washing agent formulation.

The anionic surfactant A) can be, for example, a sulfate, sulfonate or carboxylate surfactant or a mixture thereof. Preferred sulfates are those having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical, optionally in combination with alkyl ethoxysulfates in which the alkyl radical has from 10 to 20 carbon atoms.

Preferred sulfonates are e.g. alkylbenzenesulfonates having from 9 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical. The cation in the case of anionic surfactants is preferably an alkali metal cation, especially sodium.

The anionic surfactant component may be, e.g., an alkylbenzenesulfonate, an alkylsulfate, an alkylethersulfate, an olefinsulfonate, an alkanesulfonate, a fatty acid salt, an alkyl or alkenyl ether carboxylate or an a-sulfofatty acid salt or an ester thereof. Preferred are alkylbenzenesulfonates having 10 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, alkylsulfates having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, alkylethersulfates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and fatty acid salts being derived from palm oil or tallow and having 8 to 22 carbon atoms. The average molar number of ethylene oxide added in the alkylethersulfate is preferably 1 to 22, preferably 1 to 10. The salts are preferably derived from an alkaline metal like sodium and potassium, especially sodium. Highly preferred carboxylates are alkali metal sarcosinates of formula

R—CO(R₁)CH₂COOM₁ in which R is alkyl or alkenyl having 8-20 carbon atoms in the alkyl or alkenyl radical, R₁ is C₁-C₄ alkyl and M₁ is an alkali metal, especially sodium.

The nonionic surfactant component may be, e.g., primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially the C₈-C₂₀ aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more especially the C₁₀-C₁₅ primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Non-ethoxylated nonionic surfactants include alkylpolyglycosides, glycerol monoethers, and polyhydroxyamides (glucamide).

The total amount of anionic surfactant and nonionic surfactant is preferably 5-50 wt-%, preferably 5-40 wt-% and more preferably 5-30 wt-%. As to these surfactants it is preferred that the lower limit is 10 wt-%.

Preferred carboxylates are alkali metal sarcosinates of formula R₁₉—CO—N(R₂₀)—CH₂COOM′¹ wherein R₁₉ is alkyl or alkenyl having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl or alkenyl radical, R₂₀ is C₁-C₄alkyl and M′¹ is an alkali metal.

The non-ionic surfactant B) can be, for example, a condensation product of from 3 to 8 mol of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of a primary alcohol having from 9 to 15 carbon atoms.

As builder substance C) there come into consideration, for example, alkali metal phosphates, especially tripolyphosphates, carbonates or hydrogen carbonates, especially their sodium salts, silicates, aluminosilicates, polycarboxylates, polycarboxylic acids, organic phosphonates, aminoalkylenepoly(alkylenephosphonates) or mixtures of those compounds.

Especially suitable silicates are sodium salts of crystalline layered silicates of the formula NaHSi_(t)O_(2t+1).pH₂O or Na₂Si_(t)O_(2t+1).pH₂O wherein t is a number from 1.9 to 4 and p is a number from 0 to 20.

Among the aluminosilicates, preference is given to those commercially available under the names zeolithe A, B, X and HS, and also to mixtures comprising two or more of those components. Zeolithe A is preferred.

Among the polycarboxylates, preference is given to polyhydroxycarboxylates, especially citrates, and acrylates and also copolymers thereof with maleic anhydride. Preferred polycarboxylic acids are nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and ethylenediamine disuccinate either in racemic form or in the enantiomerically pure (S,S) form.

Phosphonates or aminoalkylenepoly(alkylenephosphonates) that are especially suitable are alkali metal salts of 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid, nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid, hexamethylenediamin N,N,N′,N′ tetrakis methanphosphonic acid and diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonic acid, as well as the salts therefrom.

Suitable peroxide components include, for example, the organic and inorganic peroxides (like sodium peroxides) known in the literature and available commercially that bleach textile materials at conventional washing temperatures, for example at from 5 to 95° C.

In particular, the organic peroxides are, for example, monoperoxides or polyperoxides having alkyl chains of at least 3, preferably 6 to 20, carbon atoms; in particular diperoxydicarboxylates having 6 to 12 C atoms, such as diperoxyperacetates, diperoxypersebacates, diperoxyphthalates and/or diperoxydodecanedioates, especially their corresponding free acids, are of interest

Especially preferred are mono- oder polyperoxide, especially organic peracids or their salts such as phthalimidoperoxycapronic acid, peroxybenzoic acid, diperoxydodecandiacid, diperoxynonandiacid, diperoxydecandiacid, diperoxyphthalic acid or their salts.

The amount of peroxide is preferably 0.5-30 wt-%, preferably 1-20 wt-% and more preferably 1-15 wt-%. In case a peroxide is used, the lower limit is preferably 2 wt-%, especially 5 wt-%.

Preferably, however, inorganic peroxides are used, for example persulfates, perborates, percarbonates and/or persilicates. It will be understood that mixtures of inorganic and/or organic peroxides can also be used. The peroxides may be in a variety of crystalline forms and have different water contents, and they may also be used together with other inorganic or organic compounds in order to improve their storage stability.

The peroxides are added to the agent preferably by mixing the components, for example using a screw metering system and/or a fluidised bed mixer.

The agents may comprise, in addition to the combination according to the invention, one or more optical brighteners, for example from the class bis-triazinylamino-stilbenedisulfonic acid, bis-triazolyl-stilbenedisulfonic acid, bis-styryl-biphenyl or bis-benzofuranylbiphenyl, a bis-benzoxalyl derivative, bis-benzimidazolyl derivative or coumarin derivative or a pyrazoline derivative.

The detergents used will usually contain one or more auxiliaries such as soil suspending agents, for example sodium carboxymethylcellulose; salts for adjusting the pH, for example alkali or alkaline earth metal silicates; foam regulators, for example soap; salts for adjusting the spray drying and granulating properties, for example sodium sulphate; perfumes; and also, if appropriate, antistatic and softening agents; such as smectite clays; photobleaching agents; pigments; and/or shading agents. These constituents should, of course, be stable to any bleaching system employed. Such auxiliaries can be present in an amount of, for example, 0.1 to 20 wt-%, preferably 0.5 to 10 wt-%, especially 0.5 to 5 wt-%, based on the total weight of the detergent

Furthermore, the detergent can optionally contain enzymes. Enzymes can be added to detergents for stain removal. The enzymes usually improve the performance on stains that are either protein- or starch-based, such as those caused by blood, milk, grass or fruit juices. Preferred enzymes are cellulases, proteases, amylases and lipases. Preferred enzymes are cellulases and proteases, especially proteases. Cellulases are enzymes which act on cellulose and its derivatives and hydrolyze them into glucose, cellobiose, cellooligosaccharide. Cellulases remove dirt and have the effect of mitigating the roughness to the touch. Examples of enzymes to be used include, but are by no means limited to, the following:

-   proteases as given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,242,405, column 14, lines 21     to 32; -   lipases as given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,242,405, column 14, lines 33 to     46; -   amylases as given in U.S. Pat. No. 8,242,405, column 14, lines 47 to     56; and -   cellulases as given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,242,405, column 14, lines 57     to 64.

The enzymes can optionally be present in the detergent. When used, the enzymes are usually present in an amount of 0.01-5 wt-%, preferably 0.05-5 wt-% and more preferably 0.1-4 wt-%, based on the total weight of the detergent.

In addition to the bleach catalyst according to formula (1) it is also possible to use further transition metal salts or complexes known as bleach-activating active ingredients and/or conventional bleach activators, that is to say compounds that, under perhydrolysis conditions, yield unsubstituted or substituted perbenzo- and/or peroxo-carboxylic acids having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, especially from 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Suitable bleach activators include the customary bleach activators, mentioned at the beginning, that carry O- and/or N-acyl groups having the indicated number of carbon atoms and/or unsubstituted or substituted benzoyl groups. Preference is given to polyacylated alkylenediamines, especially tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), acylated glycolurils, especially tetraacetylglycoluril (TAGU), N,N-diacetyl-N,N-dimethylurea (DDU), acylated triazine derivatives, especially 1,5-diacetyl-2,4-dioxohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (DADHT), compounds of formula:

wherein R₂₆ is a sulfonate group, a carboxylic acid group or a carboxylate group, and wherein R₂₇ is linear or branched (C₇-C₁₅)alkyl, especially activators known under the names SNOBS, SLOBS and DOBA, acylated polyhydric alcohols, especially triacetin, ethylene glycol diacetate and 2,5-diacetoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran, and also acetylated sorbitol and mannitol and acylated sugar derivatives, especially pentaacetylglucose (PAG), sucrose polyacetate (SUPA), pentaacetylfructose, tetraacetylxylose and octaacetyllactose as well as acetylated, optionally N-alkylated glucamine and gluconolactone. It is also possible to use the combinations of conventional bleach activators known from German Patent Application DE-A-44 43 177. Nitrile compounds that form perimine acids with peroxides also come into consideration as bleach activators.

Further preferred additives to the agents according to the invention are dye fixing agents and/or polymers which, during the washing of textiles, prevent staining caused by dyes in the washing liquor that have been released from the textiles under the washing conditions.

Such polymers are preferably polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyvinylimidazole or polyvinylpyridine-N-oxides which may have been modified by the incorporation of anionic or cationic substituents, especially those having a molecular weight in the range of from 5000 to 60000, more especially from 5000 to 50000. Such polymers are usually used in an amount of from 0.01 to 5 wt-%, preferably 0.05 to 5 wt-%, especially 0.1 to 2 wt-%, based on the total weight of the detergent. Preferred polymers are those given in WO-A-02/02865 (see especially page 1, last paragraph and page 2, first paragraph).

A preferred washing agent formulation according to the invention consists of

-   I) from 5 to 70 wt-% A) of at least one anionic surfactant from the     group consisting of alkylbenzenesulfonates having from 9 to 15     carbon atoms in the alkyl radical; alkylnaphthalenesulfonates having     from 6 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical in question; and     alkali metal sarcosinates of the formula R—CO—N(R₁)—CH₂COOM₁,     wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms in     the alkyl or alkenyl radical,     -   R₁ is C₁-C₄alkyl and     -   M₁ is an alkali metal and/or     -   B) at least one non-ionic surfactant from the group consisting         of condensation products of from 3 to 8 mols of ethylene oxide         with 1 mol of primary alcohol containing from 9 to 20 carbon         atoms, -   II) from 5 to 60 wt-% C) of a builder substance from the group     consisting of alkali metal phosphates; carbonates; hydrogen     carbonates; silicates; aluminium silicates; polycarboxylates;     polycarboxylic acids; organic phosphonates and aminoalkylenepoly     (alkylenephosphonates), and -   III) from 0 to 30 wt-% D) of a peroxide from the group consisting of     organic mono- or poly-peroxides; organic peracids and salts thereof;     persulfates; perborates; percarbonates and persilicates, -   IV) from 0.001 to 1 wt-% E) of at least one granulate which contains     -   a) from 2 to 70 wt-% of at least one water-soluble         phthalocyanine compound and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at         least one triphenylmethane dyestuff as defined above, based on         the total weight of the granulate,     -   b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive, based on         the total weight of the granulate, and     -   c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the         granulate, -   V) from 0 to 60% F) of further additives from the group consisting     of optical brighteners; suspending agents for dirt; pH regulators;     foam regulators; salts for regulating the spray-drying and     granulating properties; fragrances; antistatic agents; fabric     conditioners; enzymes; bleaching agents; pigments; toning agents;     polymers which, during the washing of textiles, prevent staining     caused by dyes in the washing liquor which have been released from     the textiles under the washing conditions; and perborate activators,     and -   VI) from 0 to 5% G) water.

A more preferred washing agent formulation according to the invention consists of

-   I) from 5 to 70 wt-% A) of at least one anionic surfactant from the     group consisting of alkylbenzenesulfonates having from 9 to 15     carbon atoms in the alkyl radical; alkylnaphthalenesulfonates having     from 6 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical in question; and     alkali metal sarcosinates of the formula R—CO—N(R₁)—CH₂COOM₁,     wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms in     the alkyl or alkenyl radical,     -   R₁ is C₁-C₄alkyl and     -   M₁ is an alkali metal and/or     -   B) at least one non-ionic surfactant from the group consisting         of condensation products of from 3 to 8 mols of ethylene oxide         with 1 mol of primary alcohol containing from 9 to 20 carbon         atoms, -   II) from 5 to 60 wt-% C) of a builder substance from the group     consisting of alkali metal phosphates; carbonates; hydrogen     carbonates; silicates; aluminium silicates; polycarboxylates;     polycarboxylic acids; organic phosphonates and     aminoalkylenepoly(alkylenephosphonates), and -   III) from 0 to 30 wt-% D) of a peroxide from the group consisting of     organic mono- or poly-peroxides; organic peracids and salts thereof;     persulfates; perborates; percarbonates and persilicates, -   IV) from 0.001 to 1 wt-% E) of at least one granulate which contains     -   a) from 2 to 70 wt-% of at least one phthalocyanine compound of         formula (1a), (1b), (2a), (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7),         and at least one azo dyestuff of formulae         -   wherein         -   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen;         -   C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy,         -   R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl,         -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or             carboxyl,         -   n is 1 or 2 and         -   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof             and mixtures thereof and/or         -   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E),             (F), (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, based on the             total weight of the granulate,     -   b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive, based on         the total weight of the granulate, and     -   c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the         granulate, -   V) from 0 to 60% F) of further additives from the group consisting     of optical brighteners; suspending agents for dirt; pH regulators;     foam regulators; salts for regulating the spray-drying and     granulating properties; fragrances; antistatic agents; fabric     conditioners; enzymes; bleaching agents; pigments; toning agents;     polymers which, during the washing of textiles, prevent staining     caused by dyes in the washing liquor which have been released from     the textiles under the washing conditions; and perborate activators,     and -   VI) from 0 to 5% G) water.

An especially preferred washing agent formulation according to the invention consists of

-   I) from 5 to 70 wt-% A) of at least one anionic surfactant from the     group consisting of alkylbenzenesulfonates having from 9 to 15     carbon atoms in the alkyl radical; alkylnaphthalenesulfonates having     from 6 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical in question; and     alkali metal sarcosinates of the formula R—CO—N(R₁)—CH₂COOM₁,     wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms in     the alkyl or alkenyl radical,     -   R₁ is C₁-C₄alkyl and     -   M₁ is an alkali metal and/or     -   B) at least one non-ionic surfactant from the group consisting         of condensation products of from 3 to 8 mols of ethylene oxide         with 1 mol of primary alcohol containing from 9 to 20 carbon         atoms, -   II) from 5 to 60 wt-% C) of a builder substance from the group     consisting of alkali metal phosphates; carbonates; hydrogen     carbonates; silicates; aluminium silicates; polycarboxylates;     polycarboxylic acids; organic phosphonates and     aminoalkylenepoly(alkylenephosphonates), and -   III) from 0 to 30 wt-% D) of a peroxide from the group consisting of     organic mono- or poly-peroxides; organic peracids and salts thereof;     persulfates; perborates; percarbonates and persilicates, -   IV) from 0.001 to 1 wt-% E) of at least one granulate which contains     -   a) from 2 to 70 wt-% of at least one phthalocyanine compound of         formula (1a), (1b), (2a), (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7),         and         -   at least one azo dyestuff of formula (A), (B), and/or (C)             and/or         -   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E),             (F), (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, based on the             total weight of the granulate,     -   b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive, based on         the total weight of the granulate, and     -   c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the         granulate, -   V) from 0 to 60% F) of further additives from the group consisting     of optical brighteners; suspending agents for dirt; pH regulators;     foam regulators; salts for regulating the spray-drying and     granulating properties; fragrances; antistatic agents; fabric     conditioners; enzymes; bleaching agents; pigments; toning agents;     polymers which, during the washing of textiles, prevent staining     caused by dyes in the washing liquor which have been released from     the textiles under the washing conditions; and perborate activators,     and -   VI) from 0 to 5% G) water.

The granulates E) are prepared according to known methods. Any known method is suitable to produce granules comprising the inventive mixture. Continuous or discontinuous methods are suitable, Continuous methods, such as spray drying or fluidised bed granulation processes are preferred.

Especially suitable are spray-drying processes in which the active ingredient solution is sprayed into a chamber with circulating hot air. The atomisation of the solution is carried out using single or binary nozzles or is brought about by the spinning effect of a rapidly rotating disc. In order to increase the particle size, the spray-drying process may be combined with additional agglomeration of the liquid particles with solid nuclei in a fluidised bed that forms an integral part of the chamber (so-called fluidised spray). The fine particles (<100 μm) obtained by a conventional spray-drying process may, if necessary after being separated from the exhaust gas flow, be fed as nuclei, without being further treated, directly into the spray cone of the atomiser of the spray-dryer, for the purpose of agglomeration with the liquid droplets of the active ingredient. During the granulation step, the water can be rapidly removed from the solutions comprising phthalocyanine compound, and, where appropriate, further additives, and it is expressly intended that agglomeration of the droplets forming in the spray cone, i.e. the agglomeration of droplets with solid particles, will take place. Preference is given to the use of agglomeration processes to produce the granulates according to the invention because such processes usually yield a higher bulk weight so that the granulates have better compatibility with washing agent formulations.

A further embodiment of the present invention comprises using, for preparation of the granulates, phthalocyanine solutions that have been purified by membrane separation procedures.

If necessary, the granules formed in the spray-dryer are removed in a continuous process, for example by a sieving operation. The fines and the oversize particles are either recycled directly to the process (without being redissolved) or are dissolved in the liquid active ingredient formulation and subsequently granulated again.

The granulates are resistant to abrasion, low in dust, free-flowing and can be readily metered. They are distinguished especially by very rapid solubility in water.

The granulates E) preferably have a density in the range from 500 to 900 g/l, dissolve rapidly in water and do not float on the surface of the washing agent solution. They may be added in the desired concentration of the phthalocyanine compound directly to the washing agent formulation.

The content of granulates E) in accordance with the invention in the formulations according to the invention is from to 0.001 to 1 wt-%, preferably from 0.001 to 0.05 wt-% and very especially from 0.005 to 0.03 wt-%.

The washing agent formulation according to the invention can be prepared in a generally known manner.

A formulation in powder form can be prepared, for example, by first preparing an initial powder by spray-drying an aqueous slurry comprising all of the afore-mentioned components except for components D) and E) and then adding the dry components D) and E) and mixing all of them together. It is also possible to start from an aqueous slurry which, although comprising components A) and C), does not comprise component B) or comprises only a portion of component B). The slurry is spray-dried; component E) is then mixed with component B) and added; and then component D) is mixed in dry. The components are preferably mixed with one another in such amounts that a solid compact washing agent composition in granule form is obtained, having a specific weight of at least 500 g/l.

In another preferred embodiment, the production of the washing agent composition is carried out in three steps. In the first step a mixture of anionic surfactant (and, where appropriate, a small amount of non-ionic surfactant) and builder substance is prepared. In the second step that mixture is sprayed with the major portion of the non-ionic surfactant and then, in the third step, peroxide and, where appropriate, catalyst, and the granulate according to the invention are added. That method is usually carried out in a fluidised bed. In a further preferred embodiment, the individual steps are not carried out completely separately, so that there is a certain amount of overlap between them. Such a method is usually carried out in an extruder, in order to obtain granulates in the form of “megapearls”.

As an alternative thereto, the granulates according to the invention can, for the purpose of admixture with a washing agent in a post-dosing step, be mixed with other washing agent components such as phosphates, zeolites, brighteners or enzymes.

A mixture of that kind for post-dosing of the granulates is distinguished by a homogeneous distribution of the granulates according to the invention in the mixture and can consist of, for example, from 5 to 50% granulates and from 95 to 50% sodium tripolyphosphate. Where the dark appearance of the granulate in the washing agent composition is to be suppressed, this can be achieved, for example, by embedding the granules in droplets of a whitish meltable substance (“water-soluble wax”) or, preferably, by encapsulating the granules in a melt consisting of, for example, a water-soluble wax, as described in EP-B-0 323 407 B1, a white solid (e.g. titanium dioxide) being added to the melt in order to reinforce the masking effect of the capsule.

The detergent may also be formulated as an aqueous liquid comprising 5-50, preferably 10-35 wt-% of water or as a non-aqueous liquid detergent, containing not more than 5, preferably 0-1 wt-% of water. Non-aqueous liquid detergent compositions can contain other solvents as carriers. Low molecular weight primary or secondary alcohols exemplified by methanol, ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol are suitable. Monohydric alcohols are preferred for solubilizing surfactant, but polyols such as those containing from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and from 2 to about 6 hydroxy groups (e.g., 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol, glycerine, and 1,2-propanediol) can also be used. The compositions may contain from 5 wt-% to 90 wt-%, typically 10 wt-% to 50 wt-% of such carriers. The detergents can also be present as the so-called “unit liquid dose” form.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a fabric softener formulation comprising

-   (a) at least one composition comprising at least one photocatalyst     and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane     dyestuff, which produces a relative hue angle of 220-320° and and     wherein the dyestuff is degraded when the composition is exposed to     light, -   (b) at least one fabric softener.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a fabric softener formulation comprising

-   (a) at least one composition comprising of at least one     phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b), (2a), (3), (4), (4a),     (5), (6) and/or (7), and at least one azo dyestuff of formulae     -   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen;     -   C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy,     -   R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl,     -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or carboxyl,     -   n is 1 or2 and     -   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof and         mixtures thereof and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff         of formula (D), (E), (F), (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above,         which produces a relative hue angle of 220-320° and and wherein         the dyestuff is degraded when the composition is exposed to         light, -   (b) at least one fabric softener.

An especially preferred embodiment of the present invention is a fabric softener formulation comprising

-   (a) at least one composition comprising of at least one     phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b), (2a), (3), (4), (4a),     (5), (6) and/or (7), and     -   at least one azo dyestuff of formula (A), (B), and/or (C) and/or     -   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E), (F),         (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, which produces a relative         hue angle of 220-320° and and wherein the dyestuff is degraded         when the composition is exposed to light, -   (b) at least one fabric softener.

The preferences for the photocatalyst and the azo dyestuff as defined above also applies for the use in a fabric softener.

Fabric softeners, especially hydrocarbon fabric softeners, suitable for use herein are selected from the following classes of compounds:

-   (i) Cationic quaternary ammonium salts. The counter ion of such     cationic quaternary ammonium salts may be a halide, such as chloride     or bromide, methyl sulphate, or other ions well known in the     literature. Preferably the counter ion is methyl sulfate or any     alkyl sulfate or any halide, methyl sulfate being most preferred for     the dryer-added articles of the invention.

Examples of cationic quatemary ammonium salts include but are not limited to:

(1) Acyclic quatemary ammonium salts having at least two C₈ to C₃₀, preferably C₁₂ to C₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl chains, such as: ditallowdimethyl ammonium methylsulfate, di(hydrogenated tallow)dimethyl ammonium methylsulfate, di(hydrogenated tallow)dimethyl ammonium methylchloride, distearyldimethyl ammonium methyl-sulfate, dicocodimethyl ammonium methylsulfate and the like. It is especially preferred if the fabric softening compound is a water insoluble quatemary ammonium material which comprises a compound having two C₁₂ to C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl groups connected to the molecule via at least one ester link. It is more preferred if the quaternary ammonium material has two ester links present. An especially preferred ester-linked quaternary ammonium material for use in the invention can be represented by the formula:

wherein each R₂₈ group is independently selected from C₁ to C₄ alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C₂ to C₄ alkenyl groups; T is either —O—C(O)— or —C(O)—O—, and wherein each R₂₉ group is independently selected from C₈ to C₂₈ alkyl or alkenyl groups; and e is an integer from 0 to 5.

A second preferred type of quatemary ammonium material can be represented by the formula:

wherein R₁₄, e and R₁₅ are as defined above.

(2) Cyclic quaternary ammonium salts of the imidazolinium type such as di(hydrogenated tallow)dimethyl imidazolinium methylsulfate, 1-ethylene-bis(2-tallow-1-methyl) imidazolinium methylsulfate and the like;

(3) Diamido quatemary ammonium salts such as: methyl-bis(hydrogenated tallow amidoethyl)-2-hydroxethyl ammonium methyl sulfate, methyl bi(tallowamidoethyl)2-hydroxypropyl ammonium methylsulfate and the like;

(4) Biodegradable quaternary ammonium salts such as N,N-di(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate and N,N-di(tallowoyl-oxy-propyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Biodegradable quaternary ammonium salts are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,137,180, 4,767,547 and 4,789,491 incorporated by reference herein.

Preferred biodegradable quaternary ammonium salts include the biodegradable cationic diester compounds as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,180, herein incorporated by reference.

(ii) Tertiary fatty amines having at least one and preferably two C₈ to C₃₀, preferably C₁₂ to C₂₂ alkyl chains. Examples include hardened tallow-di-methylamine and cyclic amines such as 1-(hydrogenated tallow)amidoethyl-2-(hydrogenated tallow) imidazoline. Cyclic amines, which may be employed for the compositions herein, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,255 incorporated by reference herein.

(iii) Carboxylic acids having 8 to 30 carbons atoms and one carboxylic group per molecule. The alkyl portion has 8 to 30, preferably 12 to 22 carbon atoms. The alkyl portion may be linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, with linear saturated alkyl preferred. Stearic acid is a preferred fatty acid for use in the composition herein. Examples of these carboxylic acids are commercial grades of stearic acid and palmitic acid, and mixtures thereof, which may contain small amounts of other acids.

(iv) Esters of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitan esters or glycerol stearate. Sorbitan esters are the condensation products of sorbitol or iso-sorbitol with fatty acids such as stearic acid. Preferred sorbitan esters are monoalkyl. A common example of sorbitan ester is SPAN® 60 (ICI) which is a mixture of sorbitan and isosorbide stearates.

(v) Fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, alkylphenols, ethoxylated alkylphenols, ethoxylated fatty amines, ethoxylated monoglycerides and ethoxylated diglycerides.

(vi) Mineral oils, and polyols such as polyethylene glycol.

These softeners are more definitively described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,838 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Preferred fabric softeners for use herein are acyclic quatemary ammonium salts. Mixtures of the above mentioned fabric softeners may also be used.

The fabric softener formulation according to this invention comprises about 0.001-5 wt-%, preferably 0.001-3 wt-%, of at least one composition, which comprises at least one phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b), (2a), (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7), and at least one azo dyestuff of formulae

wherein

-   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen; -   C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, -   R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl, -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or carboxyl, -   n is 1 or 2 and -   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof and     mixtures thereof and/or -   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E), (F),     (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, based on the total weight of     the fabric softener formulation

A preferred fabric softener formulation according to this invention comprises about 0.001-5 wt-%, preferably 0.001-3 wt-%, of at least one composition, which comprises at least one phthalocyanine compound of formula (1 a), (1b), (2a), (3), (4), (4a), (5), (6) and/or (7), and

at least one azo dyestuff of formula (A), (B), and/or (C) and/or

at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E), (F), (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, based on the total weight of the fabric softener formulation.

The fabric softener formulation employed in the present invention preferably contains about 0.1 to about 95 wt-%, based on the total weight of the fabric softening composition, of the fabric softener formulation. Preferred is an amount of 0.5 to 50 wt-%, especially an amount of 2 to 50 wt-% and most preferably an amount of 2 to 30 wt-%.

The fabric softening composition may also comprise additves which are customary for standard commercial fabric softening compositions, for example alcohols, such as ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, polyhydric alcohols, for example glycerol and propylene glycol; amphoteric and nonionic surfactants, for example carboxyl derivatives of imidazole, oxyethylated fatty alcohols, hydrogenated and ethoxylated castor oil, alkyl polyglycosides, for example decyl polyglucose and dodecylpolyglucose, fatty alcohols, fatty acid esters, fatty acids, ethoxylated fatty acid glycerides or fatty acid partial glycerides; also inorganic or organic salts, for example water-soluble potassium, sodium or magnesium salts, non-aqueous solvents, pH buffers, perfumes, dyes, hydrotropic agents, antifoams, anti redeposition agents, enzymes, optical brighteners, antishrink agents, stain removers, germicides, fungicides, dye fixing agents or dye transfer inhibitors (as described in WO-A-02/02865), antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, wrinkle recovery or wet soiling reduction agent, such as polyorganosiloxanes. The latter two additives are described in WO0125385.

Such additives are preferably used in an amount of 0 to 30 wt-%, based on the total weight of the fabric softening composition. Preferred is an amount of 0 to 20 wt-%, especially an amount of 0 to 10 wt-% and most preferably an amount of 0 to 5 wt-%, based on the total weight of the fabric softening composition.

The fabric softener compositions are preferably in liquid aqueous form. The fabric softener compositions preferably contain a water content of 25 to 90 wt-%, based on the total weight of the composition. More preferably the water content is 50 to 90 wt-%, especially 60 to 90 wt-%.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a fabric softener formulation comprising

-   (a) 0.001-5wt -% at least on composition comprising of at least one     phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b), (2a), (3), (4), (4a),     (5), (6) and/or (7), and at least one azo dyestuff of formulae     wherein     -   X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen;     -   C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy,     -   R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl,     -   Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or carboxyl,     -   n is 1 or 2 and     -   m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof and         mixtures thereof and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff         of formula (D), (E), (F), (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above,         which produces a relative hue angle of 220-320° and and wherein         the dyestuff is degraded when the composition is exposed to         light, -   (b) 0.1-95 wt-% of at least one fabric softener selected from the     above defined classes (i)-(vi), -   (c) 0-30 wt-% of at least one additive selected from the group     consisting of alcohols; amphoteric and nonionic surfactants;     inorganic or organic salts; non-aqueous solvents; pH buffers;     perfumes, dyes; hydrotropic agents; antifoams; anti redeposition     agents; enzymes; optical brighteners; antishrink agents; stain     removers; germicides; fungicides; dye fixing agents or dye transfer     inhibitors; antioxidants; corrosion inhibitors; wrinkle recovery or     wet soiling reduction agent, and -   (d) 25-90 wt-% of water.

A more preferred embodiment of the present invention is a fabric softener formulation comprising

-   (a) 0.001-5wt -% at least on composition comprising of at least one     phthalocyanine compound of formula (1a), (1b), (2a), (3), (4), (4a),     (5), (6) and/or (7), and     -   at least one azo dyestuff of formula (A), (B), and/or (C) and/or     -   at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff of formula (D), (E), (F),         (G), (H) and/or (I) as defined above, which produces a relative         hue angle of 220-320° and and wherein the dyestuff is degraded         when the composition is exposed to light, -   (b) 0.1-95 wt-% of at least one fabric softener selected from the     above defined classes (i)-(vi), -   (c) 0-30 wt-% of at least one additive selected from the group     consisting of alcohols; amphoteric and nonionic surfactants;     inorganic or organic salts; non-aqueous solvents; pH buffers;     perfumes, dyes; hydrotropic agents; antifoams; anti redeposition     agents; enzymes; optical brighteners; antishrink agents; stain     removers; germicides; fungicides; dye fixing agents or dye transfer     inhibitors; antioxidants; corrosion inhibitors; wrinkle recovery or     wet soiling reduction agent, and -   (d) 25-90 wt-% of water.

The fabric softener compositions preferably have a pH value from 2.0 to 9.0, especially 2.0 to 5.0.

The fabric softener compositions can, for example, be prepared as follows:

Firstly, an aqueous formulation of the cationic polymer is prepared as described above. The fabric softener composition according to the invention is usually, but not exclusively, prepared by firstly stirring the active substance, i.e. the hydrocarbon based fabric softening component, in the molten state into water, then, where required, adding further desired additives and, finally, adding the formulation of the cationic polymer. The fabric softener composition can, for example, also be prepared by mixing a preformulated fabric softener with the cationic polymer.

These fabric softener compositions are traditionally prepared as dispersions containing for example up to 30 wt-% of active material in water. They usually have a turbid appearance. However, alternative formulations usually containing actives at levels of 5 to 40 wt-% along with solvents can be prepared as microemulsions, which have a clear appearance (as to the solvents and the formulations see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,067 und WO-A-98/17757).

Examples of suitable textile fibre materials which can be treated with the liquid rinse conditioner composition are materials made of silk, wool, polyamide, acrylics or polyurethanes, and, in particular, cellulosic fibre materials and blends of all types. Such fibre materials are, for example, natural cellulose fibres, such as cotton, linen, jute and hemp, and regenerated cellulose. Preference is given to textile fibre materials made of cotton. The fabric softener compositions are also suitable for hydroxyl-containing fibres which are present in mixed fabrics, for example mixtures of cotton with polyester fibres or polyamide fibres. The following Examples serve to illustrate the invention without the invention being limited thereto. Parts and percentages are by weight unless specified otherwise. Temperature is given in degree Celsius unless specified otherwise.

EXAMPLES

Degradation Experiments

The aqueous mixture of the photocatalyst and the dyestuff or the components alone were exposed in the given concenctration in a closed 250 ml glass bottle, containing 125 ml of the mixture to sunlight. The intensity measured with a Roline RO-1322 Digital Lux meter in front of the bottles was within the range of 4500-6000 Lux.

The degradation of the components was determined from spectrophotometric data gained HP 8452 Diode array spectrophotometer. The absorption of the mixtures was measured at the respective absorption maximum of the components. (Photocatalyst 670 nm, Dyestuff 550 nm). While there is only a small overlap of the two absorption spectrum at the maximum absorption of the photocatalyst at 670 nm, there may be an appreciable overlap at the absorption maximum of the dyestuff. The absorption was determined at the start and then every 2 hours. The loss after two hours is given in percentage of the initial concentration and is corrected where the overlap is considerable.

The used photocatalysts are

-   Photocatalyst 1: mixture of sulfonated Al- and Zn     tetrabenzo-tetraaza-Porphyrines (Tinoluxe® BMC liq) -   Photocatalyst 2: sulfonated Zn tetrabenzo-tetraaza-Porphyrine The     used dyestuffs are those of formula (A) and (B) as defined on epage     13.

The results are summarized in Table 1. TABLE 1 Concentration Concentration Degradation of the Degradation of the Photo- Photocatalyst Dyestuff Photocatalyst Dyestuff catalyst [μmol/l] Dyestuff [μmol/l] after 2 hours after 2 hours 1 1 3.6 11.69% 2 1 3.6 B 1.44 10.75% 4.65% 3 1 3.6 B 3.25 9.74% 5.36% 4 1 3.6 B 5.57 10.01% 4.58% 5 1 3.6 B 6.49 11.01% 5.50% 6 1 3.6 B 30.30 8.61% 3.63% 7 1 18 B 7.21 6.43% 6.72% 8 — — B 4.33 — 0.20% 9 2 3 17.19% 10 2 3 B 4.33 15.71% 5.72% 11 2 3 A 4.41 9.51% 20.50% 12 — — A 4.41 — 0.20% 13 1 3.6 A 2.94 7.42% 17.18% 14 1 3.6 A 6.62 5.38% 16.13% 15 1 3.6 A 11.35 4.62% 15.02% 16 1 3.6 A 13.24 4.57% 15.47% 17 1 18 A 14.71 5.66% 20.51% Determination of Hue Angle

The hue angle was determined from the experimental spectra of the starting mixture collected in the transmission mode, using the ordinary calculation modulus for the chosen light source (D 65 or A) and 10° observer. The mixtures are prepared in analogy to the Degradation Examples 1-17.

The results are summarized in Table 2 TABLE 2 Concen- tration Concen- Photo- tration Hue Hue Photo- catalyst Dyestuff Angle Angle catalyst [μmol/l] Dyestuff [μmol/l] D 65 Light A 18 1 3.6 — — 201.17 207.00 19 1 3.6 2 1.44 223.68 222.52 20 1 3.6 2 3.25 248.89 240.14 21 1 3.6 2 5.57 269.50 257.22 22 1 3.6 2 6.49 276.34 263.29 23 1 3.6 2 30.30 307.23 299.40 24 2 3 — — — — 25 2 3 2 4.33 — — 26 2 3 1 4.41 — — 27 1 3.6 1 2.94 256.37 244.51 28 1 3.6 1 6.62 287.85 275.13 29 1 3.6 1 11.35 300.69 291.83 30 1 3.6 1 13.24 303.50 295.70 31 1 3.6 1 61.786 317.24 315.78 

1. A composition comprising at least one photocatalyst and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff, which produce a relative hue angle of 220-320° and wherein the dyestuff component is degraded when the composition is exposed to light.
 2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the dyestuff component is degraded when the composition is exposed to sunlight.
 3. A composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the decrease rate of the azo dyestuff(s) and/or the triphenylmethane dyestuff(s) is at least 1% per 2 hours.
 4. A composition according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the photocatalyst is a water-soluble phthalocyanine of Zn, Fe(II), Ca, Mg, Na, K, Al, Si(IV), P(V), Ti(IV), Ge(IV), Cr(VI), Ga(III), Zr(IV), In(III), Sn(IV) or Hf(VI).
 5. A composition according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the photocatalyst is a water-soluble phthalocyanine of the formula

or

in which PC is the phthalocyanine ring system; Me is Zn; Fe(II); Ca; Mg; Na; K; Al-Z₁; Si(IV); P(V); Ti(IV); Ge(IV); Cr(VI); Ga(III); Zr(IV); In(III); Sn(IV) or Hf(VI); Z₁ is a halide; sulfate; nitrate; carboxylate; alkanolate; or hydroxyl ion; q is 0; 1 or 2; r is 1 to 4; Q₁ is a sulfo or carboxyl group; or a radical of the formula —SO₂X₂—R₁—X₃ ⁺;—O—R₁—X₃ ⁺;or —(CH₂)_(t)—Y₁ ⁺; in which R₁ is a branched or unbranched C₁-C₈alkylene; or 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene; X₂ is —NH—; or —N—C₁-C₅alkyl; X₃ ⁺ is a group of the formula

or, in the case where R₁=C₁-C₈alkylene, also a group of the formula

Y₁ ³⁰ is a group of the formula

t is 0 or 1; where in the above formulae R₂ and R₃ independently of one another are C₁-C₆alkyl; R₄ is C₁-C₆alkyl; C₅-C₇cycloalkyl or NR₇R₈; R₅ and R₆ independently of one another are C₁-C₅alkyl; R₇ and R₈ independently of one another are hydrogen or C₁-C₅alkyl; R₉ and R₁₀ independently of one another are unsubstituted C₁-C₆alkyl or C₁-C₆alkyl substituted by hydroxyl, cyano, carboxyl, carb-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆alkoxy, phenyl, naphthyl or pyridyl; u is from 1 to 6; A₁ is a unit which completes an aromatic 5- to 7-membered nitrogen heterocycle, which may where appropriate also contain one or two further nitrogen atoms as ring members, and B₁ is a unit which completes a saturated 5- to 7-membered nitrogen heterocycle, which may where appropriate also contain 1 to 2 nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulfur atoms as ring members; Q₂ is hydroxyl; C₁-C₂₂alkyl; branched C₃-C₂₂alkyl; C₂-C₂₂alkenyl; branched C₃-C₂₂alkenyl and mixtures thereof; C₁-C₂₂alkoxy; a sulfo or carboxyl radical; a radical of the formula

a branched alkoxy radical of the formula

an alkylethyleneoxy unit of the formula —(T₁)_(d)—(CH₂)_(b)(OCH₂CH₂)_(a)—B₃ or an ester of the formula COOR₁₈ in which B₂ is hydrogen; hydroxyl; C₁-C₃₀alkyl; C₁-C₃₀alkoxy; —CO₂H; —CH₂COOH; —SO₃ ⁻M₁; —OSO₃ ⁻M₁; —PO₃ ²⁻M₁; —OPO₃ ²⁻M₁; and mixtures thereof; B₃ is hydrogen; hydroxyl; —COOH; —SO₃ ⁻M₁; —OSO₃ ⁻M₁ or C₁-C₆alkoxy; M₁ is a water-soluble cation; T₁ is —O—; or —NH—; X₁ and X₄ independently of one another are —O—; —NH— or —N—C₁-C₅alkyl; R₁₁ and R₁₂ independently of one another are hydrogen; a sulfo group and salts thereof; a carboxyl group and salts thereof or a hydroxyl group; at least one of the radicals R₁₁ and R₁₂ being a sulfo or carboxyl group or salts thereof, Y₂ is —O—; —S—; —NH— or —N—C₁-C₅alkyl; R₁₃ and R₁₄ independently of one another are hydrogen; C₁-C₆alkyl; hydroxy-C₁-C₆alkyl; cyano-C₁-C₆alkyl; sulfo-C₁-C₆alkyl; carboxy or halogen-C₁-C₆alkyl; unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by halogen, C₁-C₄alkyl or C₁-C₄alkoxy; sulfo or carboxyl or R₁₃ and R₁₄ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded form a saturated 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring which may additionally also contain a nitrogen or oxygen atom as a ring member; R₁₅ and R₁₆ independently of one another are C₁-C₆alkyl or aryl-C₁-C₆alkyl radicals; R₁₇ is hydrogen; an unsubstituted C₁-C₆alkyl or C₁-C₆alkyl substituted by halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, phenyl, carboxyl, carb-C₁-C₆alkoxy or C₁-C₆alkoxy; R₁₈ is C₁-C₂₂alkyl; branched C₃-C₂₂alkyl; C₁-C₂₂alkenyl or branched C₃-C₂₂alkenyl; C₃-C₂₂glycol; C₁-C₂₂alkoxy; branched C₃-C₂₂alkoxy; and mixtures thereof; M is hydrogen; or an alkali metal ion or ammonium ion, Z₂ ⁻ is a chlorine; bromine; alkylsulfate or aralkylsulfate ion; a is 0 or 1; b is from 0 to 6; c is from 0 to 100; d is 0; or 1; e is from 0 to 22; v is an integer from 2 to 12; w is 0 or 1; and A⁻ is an organic or inorganic anion, and s is equal to r in cases of monovalent anions A⁻ and is ≦r in cases of polyvalent anions, it being necessary for A_(s) ⁻ to compensate the positive charge; where, when r≠1, the radicals Q₁ can be identical or different, and where the phthalocyanine ring system may also comprise further solubilising groups.
 6. A composition according to any one of the preceeding claims wherein the azo dyestuff is a compound of formulae

wherein X and Y, independently of one another, are each hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, R_(α) is hydrogen or aryl, Z is C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxy; halogen; hydroxyl or carboxyl, n is 1 or 2 and m is 0, 1 or 2, as well as the corresponding salts thereof and mixtures thereof.
 7. A composition according to any one of the preceeding claims wherein the azo dyestuff is a compound of formula


8. A composition according to any one of the preceeding claims wherein the triphenylmethane dyestuff is a compound of formula


9. A composition according to any one of the preceeding claims wherein at least one FWA is comprised.
 10. A granular formulation comprising a composition according to claims 1-9.
 11. A granular formulation according to claim 9 comprising a) from 2 to 75 wt-% of at least one water-soluble phthalocyanine compound and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff as defined in claim 1-9, based on the total weight of the granulate, b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive, based on the total weight of the granulate, and c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the granulate.
 12. A liquid formulation comprising a composition according to claims 1-9.
 13. A detergent formulation comprising I) from 5 to 70 wt-% A) of at least one anionic surfactant and/or B) at least one non-ionic surfactant, based on the total weight of the washing agent formulation, II) from 5 to 60 wt-% C) of at least one builder substance, based on the total weight of the washing agent formulation, III) from 0 to 30 wt-% D) of at least one peroxide and, optionally, at least one activator, based on the total weight of the washing agent formulation, and IV) from 0.001 to 1 wt-% E) of at least one granulate which contains a) from 2 to 75 wt-% of at least one water-soluble phthalocyanine compound and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff as defined in claim 1-9, based on the total weight of the granulate, b) from 10 to 95 wt-% of at least one further additive, based on the total weight of the granulate, and c) from 0 to 15 wt-% water, based on the total weight of the granulate, V) from 0 to 60 wt-% F) of at least one further additive, and VI) from 0 to 5 wt-% G)water.
 14. A softener composition comprising (a) a composition comprising at least one photocatalyst and at least one azo dyestuff and/or at least one triphenylmethane dyestuff, as defined in claims 1-9, and (b) a fabric softener.
 15. A shading process using a composition as claimed in claims 1-14.
 16. Textile treated with a composition as claimed in claims 1-14. 